Testori Textiles has been named a finalist for the 2026 Crystal Cabin Award in the Sustainable Cabin category for its Plant-based Fibre Textile System. The new material platform introduces plant-based fibers across key cabin applications, including seat covers, curtains, and wall surfaces. By replacing fossil-based materials without compromising aviation standards, Testori shows that sustainability and performance can work together to create modern aircraft interiors.
Replacing Traditional Materials with Plant-Based Innovation
As airlines work to lower their environmental impact, more attention is being placed on materials used inside the cabin. Textiles play a major role, yet most are still made from synthetic or animal-based materials. Testori Textiles addresses this with its plant-based fiber system designed specifically for aviation.
“Our goal was not to create an utopic ‘green fabric,’ but a scalable textile system that airlines can realistically adopt without operational compromise and reducing their total costs of ownership.”
– Giacomo Villa, Testori Textiles
The company’s Plant-based Fibre Textile System is not a single fabric, but a complete material platform designed for multiple cabin applications. It can be used for seat covers, curtains, and wall surfaces to give airlines a more consistent approach across their cabin interiors. This reflects a shift in cabin design, moving from individual products to more integrated solutions.
A major strength of the system is its ability to match the performance of traditional materials. The plant-based fibers meet the same technical, visual, and safety standards as synthetic and animal-based textiles, including strict aviation requirements such as the FAA’s FAR 25.853 for fire, smoke, toxicity, and heat release. It demonstrates that plant-based materials can deliver the same level of safety and reliability as conventional options.
“Sustainability in aviation textiles, if consistent, cannot be cosmetic. It must start at fiber level and end at the finishing one, be engineered to meet the same safety and durability standards airlines and OEMs expect today,” said Testori Textiles COO and Head of Sales Giacomo Villa.
The materials are also designed for durability and real-world use. They support repeated cleaning cycles, resist wear, and maintain performance in high-traffic cabin environments. This ensures that airlines can adopt the system without compromising operational reliability or increasing maintenance demands.
Unlike many polyester options that rely on recycled plastics, Testori’s approach cuts out fossil-based materials from the start. By using plant-based fibers, it reduces overall CO2 impact and supports a more sustainable life-cycle.
At the same time, the system maintains strong aesthetic and tactile qualities. The materials are designed to meet modern cabin standards, supporting airline branding while improving passenger comfort. Rather than feeling like a compromise, they integrate naturally into both premium and economy cabins.
This balance reflects Testori’s long-standing expertise. As an Italian manufacturer founded in 1904 and active in aviation since the 1960s, the company manages weaving, finishing, and technical development in-house. This allows sustainability to be built into the material from the start, rather than added later.
Advancing Circularity Through Scalable and Certified Design
The Plant-based Fiber Textile System is designed to support sustainability across its entire life-cycle. Testori operates within a localized European supply chain, with key partners located within a 100-kilometer (62-mile) radius. This reduces transportation emissions, shortens lead times, and improves overall efficiency. By keeping production close and controlled, the company ensures consistency in both quality and sustainability.
Finishing technologies play a key role in performance. Proprietary treatments provide flame resistance while meeting REACH and OEKO-TEX standards, without relying on heavy chemical loading. This reduces environmental impact while maintaining strict aviation safety requirements.
Furthermore, the system is designed to scale. Rather than being a niche solution, it fits within existing airline supply chains and certification processes, making adoption more practical. This helps address one of the biggest challenges in introducing new materials to aviation.
“Our goal was not to create an utopic ‘green fabric,’ but a scalable textile system that airlines can realistically adopt without operational compromise and reducing their total costs of ownership,” Villa said.
The ability to combine sustainability with operational feasibility is central to the concept. Airlines can implement the Plant-based Fiber Textile System without sacrificing durability, safety, or cost efficiency. This allows them to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining everyday operational performance.
Source: https://apex.aero/