Imperium Fiber
Swimwear,
Without the Plastic
Chlorine-tolerant, quick-drying, shape-retaining swim fabric, the performance of synthetics without the microplastics.
Performance That Does Not Cost the Water
Conventional swim fabric is plastic filament that sheds microfiber every wash and every swim. Our 40/2 hemp-lyocell blend hits the same performance marks on a plant fiber that leaves nothing behind in the water.
40/2
Plied yarn count, Ne 20 resultant
160-220
gsm knit range
0
Microplastics and pesticides
Imperium vs Nylon
Imperium yarn leaves
nylon behind
| Factor | ImperiumHemp-lyocell 40/2 | NylonPolyamide swim yarn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength in the water, wet and dry | Yes | Yes | |
| Opacity under stretch at 160 to 220 gsm | Yes | No | |
| Nothing shed into the pool or ocean | Yes | No | |
| No PFAS or off-label pesticides | Yes | No | |
| Plant cellulose throughout the yarn | Yes | No |
The 40/2 Swim Spec
What the plied count buys you, and why each line matters once the garment is actually wet.
Yarn
The spec40/2 hemp-lyocell, Ne 20 resultant
Why it matters in swimTwo Ne 40 singles twisted together for evenness, strength, and low torque through repeated wet and dry cycling
Knit weight
The spec160 to 220 gsm interlock or double knit
Why it matters in swimThe band where coverage stays honest under stretch, the failure point of thin swim fabric
Recovery
The specElastane disclosed by percentage
Why it matters in swimShape retention across pool and salt exposure, specified openly rather than hidden in a blend name
Moisture
The specHydrophilic hemp and lyocell
Why it matters in swimReleases water and dries without the clammy plastic film a filament leaves on skin
Shed
The specNo plastic microfiber
Why it matters in swimThe garment does not contribute plastic to the water it is worn in
Inputs
The specNo PFAS, no off-label pesticides
Why it matters in swimHeld to the restricted-substance list of the HFGA US Hemp Textile Standard
Feel Better, Give Up Nothing
Choosing a cleaner swim fabric has historically meant accepting a weaker one. The 40/2 construction is the answer to that: ply strength and a proper knit weight deliver the stretch, recovery, and coverage a swim program requires, so the only thing you give up is the plastic.
Graded to the HFGA US Hemp Textile Standard.
More about Imperium hemp-lyocell
Why is swim built on a 40/2 plied yarn?
Two Ne 40 singles twisted together give evenness, wet strength, and low torque through pool and salt cycles. That is where opacity under stretch and shape retention come from.
What is hemp-lyocell?
A blend of bast hemp fiber with lyocell, a closed-loop cellulosic. Hemp brings tenacity; lyocell holds strength when wet and softens the hand against skin.
Does it shed microplastics into the water?
No. Both components are plant cellulose, so the garment does not release plastic microfiber in wash or wear.
Will it stay opaque when wet and stretched?
Yes, when knit in the 160 to 220 gsm interlock or double-knit band. Thin filament cloth is where coverage fails; the plied count and gsm are how we keep it honest.
How does it handle chlorine and salt?
Recovery is specified with elastane disclosed by percentage, and the hydrophilic hemp-lyocell body releases water without the clammy plastic film nylon leaves on skin.
What certifications do you hold?
Inputs are held to the restricted-substance list of the HFGA US Hemp Textile Standard, with no PFAS and no off-label pesticides.
What are your minimum order quantities?
MOQs vary by count and color. Sampling quantities are available before you commit to a production run.
How do I get a sample?
Tell us the silhouette and the support you need. We will spec the 40/2 construction and get yarn or knitted swatches moving.
Build a swim line that leaves nothing behind
Tell us the silhouette and the support you need. We will spec the 40/2 construction and get samples moving.
Contact UsFrom the Journal
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Does Supima Hemp Shed Microplastics?
No. Supima hemp is US-grown hemp with Supima cotton, so it has no polyester filament to shed. Plant-fiber lint in laundry is not plastic shedding.
Is Supima Hemp a Natural Alternative to Polyester?
Yes. Supima hemp is a natural alternative to polyester for sheets and towels: cellulose inputs, no plastic filament, and no polyester microplastic shed.
Supima Hemp Sheets Without Plastic Shedding
Supima hemp sheets are US-grown hemp and Supima cotton. With no polyester filament in the yarn, they do not bring plastic shedding to the bed.