Sorona® And WGSN Announce Top Bio-Based Material Trends of 2027

Bio-based materials emerge as a leading trend shaping the future of fashion across athleisure and luxury ready-to-wear apparel

NEWARK, Del., July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sorona®, the partially bio-based polymer from Covation Biomaterials (CovationBio™), and global trend forecasting authority WGSN today release the material trends shaping the textile industry through 2027 and beyond following a comprehensive examination of bio-based functional fiber applications and global data.

Highlights

• Global bio-based materials market projected to reach USD 285.3 billion by 2029, growing at 14.5% CAGR (source: Market Data Forecast)

• Consumer insights: Searches for "natural fibers" are rising. Wool base layer (+61%), cotton leggings (+21%) year-over-year (source: Google Trends)

• Three apparel innovation trends shaping product development through 2027

• Sorona® is a commercially available solution for natural fiber blends, partially made with renewable plant-based ingredients

These findings arrive at a pivotal moment as global fashion brands navigate the pressures of shifting supply chains paired with evolving consumer expectations. The global biomaterials market is projected to reach USD 285.3 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 14.5%, a pace that significantly outstrips conventional textile and synthetic fiber sectors. Consumer search data tells the same story: searches for "natural fibers" have surged, with wool base layer terms rising 61% and cotton leggings 21% year-over-year. Interest in "chemical-free materials" is trending upward globally with no signs of slowing.

The three major trends expected to influence apparel development:

New Nature, which explores circular, bio-based, and hybrid fiber combinations built around a new understanding of natural materials;

Climate Flex, which addresses the growing demand for temperature-regulating, performance-ready fabrics in a changing climate

Sensory Empowerment, reflecting consumer priorities around skin-safe, tactile, wellness-forward textiles.

Across all three trends, Sorona® provides commercially available solutions that help brands combine bio-based content with the high-performance attributes consumers expect including stretch recovery, wrinkle resistance, breathability, durability, and comfort. Partially made with renewable plant-based ingredients, Sorona® can be blended with natural or cellulosic fibers to address the inherent performance limitations of those fibers while preserving their natural texture and feel.