Fabric
Ramie
North-east India and China
Impact score
71/ 100
Better Choice
A blended indicator of water, carbon, chemical load, durability and recyclability.
Measured impact per kg of fibre
Water footprint2,900 L / kg
Carbon footprint2.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Process energy28 MJ / kg
Microfibre sheddingNo shedding
BiodegradableYes
Durability10 years typical wear
Recyclability60 / 100
Data confidence
lowLow confidence — limited published data, treat as indicative
Sources: FAO 2021 · Higg MSI 2023
Figures are cradle-to-gate averages per kilogram of fibre or fabric, not measurements of your specific garment. A typical adult shirt weighs roughly 0.2 kg.
Qualitative ratings
Water useLow
Carbon footprintLow
Chemical loadModerate
DurabilityHigh
RecyclabilityModerate
What is it
A bast fibre from the nettle family, silky and very strong when wet.
Why it matters
Low input to grow, but degumming is chemical-intensive and it wrinkles easily.
Water Carbon Chemicals End of life
What you can do
Look for ramie blended with cotton for softness; wash gently.