Next-Gen Fibers Set To Cut Fashion COGS By 4%

Why next-gen materials matter now According to BCG, materials currently account for about 91% of the fashion industry’s total emissions and roughly 30% of the cost of goods sold.

Replacing conventional fibers with lower-impact next-gen options is therefore one of the most powerful levers brands have to cut carbon and manage cost volatility.

The report estimates that strategically scaling these innovations could deliver around a 4% reduction in COGS over five years compared with doing nothing, as economies of scale and smarter sourcing start to bite.

At the same time, growing regulatory pressure, climate-related supply shocks, and shifting consumer expectations mean sticking with the status quo is becoming riskier each season…