Journal of Textile Science and Technology

Journal of Textile Science and Technology

Evaluation of the characteristics of tilapia leather produced in Iran for use in clothing with a sustainable fashion approach

Document Type : Research/ Original/ Regular Article

Authors
Zeinab Keshavarz 1
Farideh Hajiani 1
Mohammad Davoudabadi Farahani 2
1 Fabric Design Department, Faculty of Applied Arts, Iran University of Art, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Textile Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
10.22034/jtst.2026.498997.1486
Abstract
Sustainable fashion is clothing and accessories that, while maintaining the indicators of beauty, creativity, and art in fashion, achieve the three goals of sustainable development, including environmental, economic, and social. Fish skin, as a sustainable raw material, has been separated from its original function in the not-so-distant past and, despite the increase in production volume, is generally left in nature, which is environmentally destructive or has a low value-added use, but it has recently attracted the attention of leading global brands such as Dior and Galliano. In Iran, due to the high volume of fish and its skin production, this sustainable raw material is not known and no comprehensive research has been conducted to investigate its characteristics. Accordingly, in order to investigate the characteristics and specifications of fish leather produced in Iran and to assess its suitability for use in clothing production, based on National Standard 78, nine practical tests such as tensile strength, tear strength, and rubbing test were conducted on tilapia leather produced in Iran. A comprehensive comparison with other natural leathers and international standards was then conducted to introduce this sustainable and innovative material to the Iranian apparel industry. The research findings showed that tilapia leather produced in Iran has good mechanical strength, durability, and aesthetic quality, which can make it a suitable and sustainable alternative material for use in apparel and fashion accessories.
Keywords
Sustainability
sustainable fashion
fish leather
tanning
tilapia fish leather
Subjects
[1] Afrashteh S, Mansouri Ghara A, Ghareh Hajlou MI, Hajihashemi A, Habibi R, Valipour P, et al. Modular fashion design using three-dimensional printing technology: A novel approach to sustainable fashion and clothing. Journal of Textile and Apparel Science and Technology. 2023;13(3):95-123.
[2] Mojerloo M. How and by what tools is sustainable development achieved? The puzzle of a sustainable society. Tejarat-e Farda Weekly. 2016;(213).
[3] Iran S, Samiei Y. The Little Book of Sustainable Fashion: Scientific Articles and Introduction to Designers Active in Sustainable Fashion. 1st ed. Tehran: Jamal Honar Publishing Institute; 2021. p. 179.
[4] Mohammadi V, Ekrami E, Mohammadi H, Moradhosseini M. Identification of factors affecting the fashion and apparel industry with an environmental sustainability approach. Journal of Textile and Apparel Science and Technology. 2020;9(33):21-29.
[5] Cimatti B, Campana G, Carluccio L. Eco design and sustainable manufacturing in fashion: A case study in the luxury personal accessories industry. In: Proceedings of the 14th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing (GCSM); Stellenbosch, South Africa. 2017. p. 393-397.
[6] Eifler C, Diekamp K. The difficulties of sustainable consumption of clothing. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Sustainability Conference; 2012 Aug 29–31; Basel, Switzerland. 2012.
[7] Figueredo T, Silva N. The possible use of fish leather in lingerie confection: Approach to the Amazon. In: Textiles, Identity and Innovation: Design the Future. 2021. p. 347-352.
[8] Palomino E. SDG 14 Life Below Water: Introducing Fish Skin as a Sustainable Raw Material for Fashion. London: University of the Arts London; 2019. p. 6.
[9] Palomino E, Káradóttir MK. The case of fish skin: A historical material assimilated as an innovative sustainable material for fashion. 2021. Available from: https://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk
[10] Palomino E, Boon J. Preservation of the Hezhe people's fish skin tradition through fashion education. In: D-TEX Textiles, Identity and Innovation International Textile Design Conference; 2019; Lisbon, Portugal.
[11] Ahmadi M, Kordjazi M, Shabanpour B, Alishahi A, Mirsadeghi H. Effect of chrome salt on leather prepared from Siberian sturgeon fish skin and evaluation of its quality. Journal of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management. 2019;8(2):41-51. [In Persian].
[12] Farahani MD, Dastjerdi R. Bio-waste-based sequin fabrics to control interior noise pollution. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 2024 Nov;21(15):9447-58.
[13] Adnan A. The History, Art and Culture of Jewelry. 2018. p. 4-8.
[14] Fish Skin Lab. John Galliano Fishskin Winter 2002 [Internet]. Available from: https://www.fishskinlab.com/87/john-galliano-fishskin-winter-2002. Accessed 2025 Jan 20.
[15] Shamena S, Kerebo B, Abiyu A. A review of bio-tanning materials for processing fish skin into leather. International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology. 2016;39(1).
[16] Mares C, Martís J, Alanis López E, Barajas R, Ramírez GJA, Rodríguez VM, et al. The use of fish skin as a product for leather manufacturing: An under-developed business opportunity in Mexico. 2015.
[17] Griyanitasari G, Pahlawan IF, Lestari UR. Application of Tegeran (Maclura cochinchinensis) bark as a natural tanning agent for the quality of tilapia fish skin. Majalah Kulit, Karet, dan Plastik. 2020;35(2):55-62.
[18] Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). Standard No. 78: Apparel Leather—Specifications and Test Methods [Internet]. Available from: https://standard.inso.gov.ir/StandardView.aspx?Id=42703. Accessed 2025 Jan 20.
[19] Sahubawa L, Atmoko CR, Sasongko S. Application of technology to increase economic value and consumer preferences of tilapia, stingray and cow leather products. In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 2021;919(1):012032.
[20] Eghtesad Online. Iran ranks first in production but last in fish consumption [Internet]. Available from: https://www.eghtesadonline.com/fa/news/389435. Accessed 2025 Jan 20.
 

  • Receive Date 10 January 2025
  • Revise Date 30 April 2026
  • Accept Date 30 April 2026