Sumitomo had developed a chemical that you could impregnate into a polyethylene-based fiber.

FORBES: Transcript: Jacqueline Novogratz

Mr. FOODY: And they found a fungus that produced a chemical called an enzyme that would break all sorts of fiber, cotton, clothes tents, down into sugar.

NPR: Canadian Dreams of Ethanol Distilled from Grass

Thus far the star of this new science has been ethanol, a car fuel made from corn, but around the world chemical, grain and biotech companies are working to produce auto paint, cosmetics, even apparel fiber from renewable resources.

FORBES: Magazine Article