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The Fiber and Materials Matrix

The Fiber and Materials Matrix (formerly the Preferred Fiber and Materials Matrix) enables owners of fiber and raw material sustainability programs to assess themselves against a shared framework and identify opportunities for improvement.

Brands and retailers can use the Fiber and Materials Matrix to explore a range of options within a material category, seeing what each covers (and what it doesn’t) to help inform their sourcing strategies.

Goals

Driving beneficial outcomes from the start of the value chain.

The Fiber and Materials Matrix brings Textile Exchange’s LCA+ approach to life, recognizing that it’s essential to go beyond lifecycle assessment data when evaluating the impacts of different fiber and raw material production systems. The tool enables owners of sustainability standards systems, branded fibers, and improvement programs to assess themselves against a shared framework and identify opportunities for improvement. Brands and retailers can use the Fiber and Materials Matrix to explore a range of options within a material category, seeing what each covers (and what it doesn’t) to help inform their sourcing strategies.

How it works

Holistically assessing fiber and materials programs

  • Created by the Industry

    The Fiber and Materials Matrix has been designed and developed through deep consultation with the fashion, textile, and apparel industry, including specialist organizations with expertise across different impact areas.
  • Broad assessment

    The Fiber and Materials Matrix assesses materials across five core pillars: Climate, Nature, People, Animals, and Governance.
  • Robust methodology

    The Fiber and Materials Matrix brings Textile Exchange’s LCA+ approach to life, combining both qualitative and quantitative indicators in its methodology.
  • Transparency

    The Fiber and Materials Matrix is based solely on publicly available information.
  • Comparison

    The Fiber and Materials Matrix enables brands and retailers to compare options within the same material category, highlighting what each covers and the practices in place to support beneficial impact.
Development

We have updated the Fiber and Materials Matrix to function as a self-assessment tool.

In 2025, several key improvements were made:

  • The content and structure were streamlined to align with Textile Exchange’s “Preferred Fibers and Materials: Definitions,” which are organized around five core pillars: Climate, Nature, People, Animals, and Governance.

  • The Matrix is now designed as a self-assessment tool, supported by an online platform and an external review process.

  • The methodology has been refined to better apply across a wider range of initiatives, including standard systems, branded fibers, and improvement programs.

  • It has been further aligned with external frameworks such as Science Based Targets for Nature and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

  • Additional material categories have been brought into scope as part of the methodology update.

Explore the tool
RESOURCES

Download the survey guide and methodology

Survey Guide

Download
Fiber and Materials Matrix Methodology

Download