What Is Cupro Fabric — And Is It Sustainable?

As brands and fashion houses look to make the clothes we wear more environmentally friendly, there has been a rise in different sustainable materials created and commercially worn — and Cupro is the latest. 

What is cupro?

Cupro is a material made from plant-based fibres to form a soft and silk-like fabric. Though it is now being used increasingly by slow fashion brands, it was actually first created in 1890. The creation and manufacturing process of Cupro is similar to that of Modal and Lyocell, which you can read about here. 

Is cupro vegan?

Yes, cupro is indeed vegan! As it’s made from solely plant-based fibres, it's vegan as well as cruelty-free. This is good for plant-powered people as cupro is a vegan-friendly alternative to silk, which is not vegan. 

Is cupro sustainable?

In theory, cupro should be a very sustainable fabric. After all, it is made from recycled cotton, which is recyclable and also helps offset waste from cotton farming. And again, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, which is an obvious win. However, in the process of treating cotton to become cupro, it is treated with toxic chemicals. There are also concerns about the treatment of factory workers making cupro as to their safety while working with chemicals, as well as the general working conditions and compensation. Therefore, it’s not the most ethical of fabrics, though it may still be a fabric to watch when it becomes properly regulated and the workers fairly compensated.