Eco-conscious consumers are demanding more sustainable products than ever before. As a result, brands are under pressure to innovate without compromising performance. But with so many “green” materials on the market, how do you identify the ones that truly deliver environmental value and high function?
S.Café® recycled coffee ground polyester is one such game-changer—offering odor control, UV protection, and moisture management, while turning waste into wearable innovation.
If you're sourcing eco-fabrics for activewear, outdoor clothing, or lifestyle apparel, S.Café® might be the solution you’ve been searching for. In this article, I’ll explain why more global buyers, including Fumao Fabric’s clients, are integrating it into their collections.
What Is S.Café® Fabric and How Is It Made?
S.Café® is a patented technology developed by Taiwanese company Singtex®. It turns post-consumer coffee grounds into functional yarn blended with recycled polyester. This innovative fiber is known for its natural odor control, UV protection, and moisture-wicking properties.
By embedding micronized coffee grounds into the yarn, S.Café® fabric locks in functionality without needing chemical coatings.
How Are Coffee Grounds Transformed into Fabric?
First, used coffee grounds are collected from local cafés. After drying and milling into nano-sized particles, they’re mixed with recycled PET chips (rPET). This blend is then melted and spun into yarn. Unlike chemical finishes, these coffee particles are embedded within the fiber core, making the function permanent.
More on the process is detailed on Singtex’s official site and S.Café®’s sustainability page.
What Certifications Does S.Café® Hold?
S.Café® yarns are certified by Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and bluesign®. The production process supports low-emission, closed-loop systems. It meets OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, ensuring fabric safety and non-toxicity.
Brands using S.Café® can confidently meet EU REACH, Prop 65, and major retailer green mandates.
What Functional Benefits Does S.Café® Offer?
S.Café® offers more than sustainability. It’s engineered for performance wear, lifestyle fashion, and travel apparel that needs to perform under pressure.
The embedded coffee particles naturally absorb odors, disperse sweat, and reflect harmful UV rays—making this fabric ideal for sportswear and outdoor brands.
How Does It Control Odor Without Chemicals?
The coffee grounds have a microporous structure. This gives them a large surface area that traps odor molecules like ammonia and sweat acids. Since these particles are embedded into the yarn, the odor control doesn’t wash out over time—unlike traditional antibacterial finishes.
This functional benefit is supported by S.Café® lab testing and scientific textile studies.
Does It Offer UV Protection and Quick Drying?
Yes. Coffee grounds naturally block ultraviolet rays—up to UPF 50+—without needing synthetic coatings. Moisture spreads faster over the yarn’s surface, drying quickly. This makes it perfect for yoga, hiking, and commuter gear.
This built-in sun protection and quick-dry property has helped brands like Timberland and North Face Taiwan integrate S.Café® into product lines.
Is S.Café® Fabric Sustainable and Scalable?
S.Café® isn’t just sustainable in concept—it delivers on it operationally. With over 25,000 tons of coffee waste produced daily worldwide, the material taps into an abundant, underutilized resource.
Blending rPET with spent coffee reduces landfill waste and cuts reliance on virgin polyester, contributing to circular textile manufacturing.
How Much Waste Does It Divert?
For every 5 T-shirts made with S.Café®, about 3 cups of coffee grounds are upcycled. This reduces carbon emissions compared to conventional polyester by approximately 20%, according to Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) published on textile sustainability platforms.
Combined with recycled water systems and green power integration, it supports brands’ net-zero goals.
Can It Be Produced in Bulk for Global Brands?
Yes. S.Café® yarns are now widely used in Asia and expanding into the U.S. and EU. Production is scalable with multiple licensees. At Fumao Fabric, we offer both S.Café® yarn sourcing and in-house knitting/weaving for small to bulk orders.
We’ve shipped S.Café® fabric to clients in the U.S., Germany, and Russia, supporting MOQ flexibility, lab testing, and certified traceability.
What Types of Apparel Is S.Café® Best Suited For?
S.Café® fabric isn’t just for eco-brand statements—it’s ideal for real-world performance. Thanks to its odor control and moisture-wicking properties, it excels in sports, travel, and everyday fashion.
From yoga leggings and gym tees to outerwear and socks, S.Café® adds value where comfort and freshness matter most.
Is It Suitable for Children’s or Travel Apparel?
Yes. Since it’s chemical-free and OEKO-TEX® certified, S.Café® is safe for sensitive skin, including children’s wear. It's lightweight, breathable, and odor-resistant—ideal for travel wardrobes or uniforms.
Brands targeting eco-conscious families or travel retailers benefit from the added freshness and packability this fabric offers.
What Fabric Blends Work Well with S.Café®?
S.Café® works well with spandex (for stretch), modal (for softness), and recycled nylon (for abrasion resistance). We offer custom blends at Fumao to suit different fashion or performance needs. Whether you need 4-way stretch yoga fabric or fleece for fall wear, S.Café® adapts seamlessly.
You can review real-case material blends from Performance Days fair or ISPO Textrends.
Conclusion
S.Café® isn’t just another green marketing gimmick—it’s a performance-driven, tested, and certified solution for today’s responsible apparel brands. From odor control and UV protection to circular economy and real durability, it checks all the boxes global buyers are now seeking.
At Shanghai Fumao, we help you source authentic S.Café® fabric backed by full traceability, third-party testing, and flexible MOQs. Whether you’re building a new eco capsule or upgrading your performance line, we’ll guide you from yarn sourcing to fabric production and export clearance.
Interested in sampling or developing your next S.Café® collection? Contact our Business Director Elaine at elaine@fumaoclothing.com today for a consultation and quote.