With the Spring/Summer 2026 Collection, Marc Cain Sports presents a T-shirt that combines design, comfort and circular thinking in a special way: GOTS-certified organic cotton meets a biodegradable Lyocell sewing thread, a cotton care label and Cradle to Cradle®-compliant printing inks.
The T-shirt was designed with all its components in such a way that it can almost completely biodegrade after wearing - under realistic conditions.
WHEN FASHION DISSOLVES WITHOUT LEAVING A TRACE
Biodegradation requires suitable environmental conditions - such as sufficient moisture, oxygen and microbial life. How well the materials used actually biodegrade and whether residues are left behind is currently being analysed in a long-term test by the independent testing institute Hohenstein Laboratories, under realistic conditions.
BIODEGRADABILITY
WHEN FASHION DISSOLVES WITHOUT LEAVING A TRACE
With the Spring/Summer 2026 Collection, Marc Cain Sports presents a T-shirt that combines design, comfort and circular thinking in a special way: GOTS-certified organic cotton meets a biodegradable Lyocell sewing thread, a cotton care label and Cradle to Cradle®-compliant printing inks.
The T-shirt was designed with all its components in such a way that it can almost completely biodegrade after wearing - under realistic conditions.
WHEN FASHION DISSOLVES WITHOUT LEAVING A TRACE
Biodegradation requires suitable environmental conditions - such as sufficient moisture, oxygen and microbial life. How well the materials used actually biodegrade and whether residues are left behind is currently being analysed in a long-term test by the independent testing institute Hohenstein Laboratories, under realistic conditions.
OUR DESIGNS ARE MADE TO ENJOY - FOR A LIFETIME
Our products are designed to last. However, clothing can get lost or unintentionally end up in the environment or leave traces through everyday use - for example during washing. In this respect, this T-shirt is designed to biodegrade under realistic conditions - without leaving any permanent residue.
Nothing remains of the T-shirt - except the proof that it was developed for the biological cycle.
OUR DESIGNS ARE MADE TO ENJOY - FOR A LIFETIME
Our products are designed to last. However, clothing can get lost or unintentionally end up in the environment or leave traces through everyday use - for example during washing. In this respect, this T-shirt is designed to biodegrade under realistic conditions - without leaving any permanent residue.
Nothing remains of the T-shirt - except the proof that it was developed for the biological cycle.
AND WHAT COMES NEXT?
The biodegradable T-shirt is a test run to find out how recyclable product design can be implemented in practice. What requirements must be met? How can the use of materials, design and production be made recyclable? And how is the product being received?
We are now trialling all of this - with the aim of learning from it and incorporating our experience into the development of future products. Because even if this T-shirt is only a start: The idea of thinking about fashion even more sustainably continues to accompany us going forward.
AND WHAT COMES NEXT?
The biodegradable T-shirt is a test run to find out how recyclable product design can be implemented in practice. What requirements must be met? How can the use of materials, design and production be made recyclable? And how is the product being received?
We are now trialling all of this - with the aim of learning from it and incorporating our experience into the development of future products. Because even if this T-shirt is only a start: The idea of thinking about fashion even more sustainably continues to accompany us going forward.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS SO FAR?
In July 2025, we dug our biodegradable T-shirt out of the ground for the first time. At that point, it had been buried in microbially active test soil for seven weeks. After just this short period of time, the shirt had lost 19.1% of its mass – a clear sign that the degradation process had begun.
In July 2025, we dug our biodegradable T-shirt out of the ground for the first time. At that point, it had been buried in microbially active test soil for seven weeks. After just this short period of time, the shirt had lost 19.1% of its mass – a clear sign that the degradation process had begun.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS SO FAR?
In July 2025, we dug our biodegradable T-shirt out of the ground for the first time. At that point, it had been buried in microbially active test soil for seven weeks. After just this short period of time, the shirt had lost 19.1% of its mass – a clear sign that the degradation process had begun.
The second excavation after 24 weeks showed an even clearer result: 92.8% of the original mass had already been degraded. Only a few remnants of the T-shirt remained.
The final assessment of biodegradability will take place in spring 2026. By then, the T-shirt will have spent a full year in the soil under controlled laboratory conditions. Based on these results, the laboratory will make a final statement.
The second excavation after 24 weeks showed an even clearer result: 92.8% of the original mass had already been degraded. Only a few remnants of the T-shirt remained.
The final assessment of biodegradability will take place in spring 2026. By then, the T-shirt will have spent a full year in the soil under controlled laboratory conditions. Based on these results, the laboratory will make a final statement.
