Science Fiction

The project will see Rubi Laboratories, a California-based startup, capture carbon dioxide gases created in Walmart supply-chain factories, then turn it into yarn to use in a brand-new clothing line.

It sounds like something out of science fiction, but a joint statement from the companies revealed their goal of developing a prototype apparel collection, with Bloomberg noting that the pilot project is set to run until the end of 2024. Rubi Laboratories (@rubi_earth) also tweeted about the partnership.

The process captures and converts carbon gas into cellulose, which is then spun to create fabric. According to the statement, the final products will be carbon-negative clothes, and the material could also be used in other products.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Walmart’s executive vice president of sourcing Andrea Albright said the goal was to “find a greener way to manufacture apparel.”

“If we can pull CO2 out of the atmosphere and put it into a raw material in a way that doesn’t cause an abundance of electricity usage or other implications, that’s compelling to us,” she added.