January 22, 2026
The Alliance is participating in the ‘Performance Without Toxicity’ exhibition in London. This event showcases certified natural fibres whose technical and environmental performance meets current requirements for design in sport and performance.
Organised by The Mills Fabrica in its Fabrica X gallery in London, the exhibition Performance Without Toxicity is open to the public, free of charge and accessible for six months. It brings together pioneering companies and organisations committed to a new approach to performance, reconciling innovation, human health and respect for ecosystems.
Through a selection of textiles, finished products and composite objects made from European flax, the Alliance showcases certified and traceable natural fibres whose technical and environmental performance meets the current requirements for sportswear and performance equipment design.
The exhibition demonstrates that it is now possible to achieve high levels of performance while reducing environmental impact, freeing ourselves from the harmful legacy of petrochemical-based materials. It is in this context that the Alliance's participation is naturally legitimate: fibres from flax grown in Europe offer proven bio-based solutions that combine performance and sustainability.
By taking part in Performance Without Toxicity, the Alliance reaffirms its commitment to improving recognition of natural fibres whose performance remains largely underestimated.
The objective is to inform consumers, the media, creatives and all stakeholders across the fashion, design and sports sectors about the potential of European flax. Visitors to the Fabrica X gallery will discover breathable and thermoregulating textiles, sportswear, rackets and a surfboard, illustrating the ability of European flax to meet demanding requirements in comfort, technical performance and functionality.
From high-performance everyday textiles to technical applications—including composites for sport, mobility and design—these solutions are far from experimental. They are already integrated into commercially available products developed by international brands.
Through this exhibition, the Alliance adopts an educational approach, explaining the origin of flax fibres, the stages of processing, the proven properties of the material and the guarantees provided by European origin certifications.
“This exhibition is an open invitation to professionals, students and anyone curious to understand how responsible innovation can be developed. It allows flax to be understood not only as a fibre, but as a material in its own right. It offers a concrete way to explore the performance, versatility and eco-responsibility of European flax, as well as the diversity of its uses—from the textiles we wear to innovative and sometimes unexpected applications in design, sport and everyday objects. Beyond discovery, our message is simple: when choosing materials and products, certified origin is essential. It is a key tool for making informed decisions in terms of performance, environmental impact and material integrity.”
— Chantal Malingrey, Marketing and Communications Director, the Alliance
The flax presented at The Mills Fabrica is grown in Western Europe, within a unique geographical area that accounts for nearly three-quarters of global flax fibre production. This European origin is guaranteed by two certifications developed by the Alliance: Masters of FLAX FIBRE™ and Masters of LINEN™.
In terms of properties, European flax offers proven performance: natural ventilation and breathability, moisture absorption and management, thermoregulation, wearing comfort and end-of-life biodegradability.
When used as reinforcement in composites, it also stands out for its light weight, stiffness and strength, as well as its vibration-damping capacity and acoustic and thermal insulation properties.
At The Mills Fabrica, the Alliance presents tangible applications of European flax already integrated into products available on the market. Textiles, clothing, accessories, sports equipment and technical composites illustrate the ability of these certified natural fibres to meet contemporary expectations in performance, comfort and durability.
For Pierre Pomiers, founder and CEO of Notox—whose flax-composite surfboard is on display—the conclusion is unequivocal:
Flax has proved to be a major improvement across the entire life cycle of our boards, which last far longer than traditional fibreglass boards. Fibreglass waste cannot be recycled, whereas flax waste can be recovered and reused.
Pierre Pomiers, CEO - Notox
The Alliance therefore presents a selection of flax textiles designed to combine comfort, durability and versatility, alongside sports equipment and composite objects incorporating flax fibres. Rackets and surfboards demonstrate how flax can be combined with other materials to improve comfort, reduce vibrations and enhance feel, while at the same time lowering the environmental footprint of products.
Samples of fibres and fabrics, along with educational materials dedicated to the flax plant, complete the visitor journey, enabling audiences to understand the various stages of transformation and the logic behind full valorisation of the crop.
The MiJuin brand at the Fabrica X shop
Based near Rouen in northern France, MiJuin designs clothing and accessories using a local supply chain, with the aim of reducing environmental impact, supporting employment and preserving regional know-how. Its name refers to the flax flowering period.
MiJuin uses exclusively Masters of LINEN™ certified materials, guaranteeing that the flax is grown and processed in Europe—from plant to finished fabric—which the brand then manufactures in its workshop in Normandy.
For the Performance Without Toxicity exhibition, alongside the Alliance, MiJuin presents a range of aesthetically refined and durable products designed for everyday use and built to last:
Also available at the Fabrica X shop:
Babolat Pure Aero Lite tennis racket (2023, unstrung), featuring NF²-Tech (Natural Flax Filtration Technology), developed in partnership with Eco-Technilin, a specialist in natural fibres for technical applications.
Adidas Metalbone GreenPadel padel racket (2022), the brand’s first padel racket incorporating renewable and biodegradable materials. The GreenPadel includes ampliTex™ flax fibre reinforcement, developed by Bcomp, a specialist in high-performance bio-based materials, ensuring strength and flexibility.
Notox GreenOne® Ripley (2012): a high-performance eco-designed surfboard by Notox, a French manufacturer based in the Basque Country, recognised for its use of sustainable materials such as flax fibre. Flax provides natural flexibility and improved vibration damping, reducing the stiffness sometimes associated with conventional epoxy boards, for a smoother, more responsive and dynamic ride.
Maurice 100% flax-linen swim shorts and Vilebrequin jersey polo shirt (2025): the beachwear brand carried out extensive research and development, including a series of weaving tests, to achieve a fabric that is breathable, durable, water-repellent and pleasant to the touch.
100% flax-linen waffle-weave beach towels by Klasikine Tekstile, offered by the Lithuanian home-textile specialist.
Alongside the exhibition, the Alliance will organise and take part in panel discussions and a workshop dedicated to the challenges of responsible performance and innovative materials.
Panel discussion – “Can nature outperform synthetics?”
Date: Thursday 29 January 2026
Time: 1.40 pm – 2.20 pm
Performance Without Toxicity opens with a two-day invitation-only professional conference. On this occasion, the Alliance will share its expertise on the origin, traceability and performance of European natural fibres, demonstrating how flax and hemp already meet contemporary performance requirements. Annabelle Villot-Malka, Senior Project Manager, Traceability & Certification at the Alliance, will speak alongside leading figures in textile innovation.
Speakers:
Annabelle Villot-Malka, Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp
Rebecca Kelley, European Product Marketing Manager, Woolmark
Amanda Turner, CPO & Founding Member, PLNTmatter
Moderator: Amanda Johnston, Chief Design Officer, The Sustainable Angle
Panel discussion – “European flax: from responsibly produced fibres to innovative, high-performance solutions for the design and textile industries”
Date: Tuesday 19 March 2026
Time: 5.30 pm: welcome drink / 6.00 pm: panel discussion and exchange
Organised by the Alliance and moderated by Bruno Pech, Innovation Project Manager at the Alliance, this discussion will bring together experts, manufacturers and designers to explore current and future uses of European flax and hemp in performance and composite applications.
Workshop – “Everything you need to know about European flax and hemp”
Date: Tuesday 14 April 2026
Time: 8.30 am: welcome breakfast and visit of the Performance Without Toxicity exhibition / 9.30 am – 12.30 pm: workshop
This twice-yearly training workshop organised by the Alliance offers professionals a comprehensive overview of the Alliance’s latest news and actions; key economic indicators; a hands-on discovery of the latest textile innovations; information on the Masters of FLAX FIBRE™ and Masters of LINEN™ certification processes; and an overview of the services and support provided by the Alliance.
The Mills Fabrica is a global innovation ecosystem, based in Hong Kong and London, dedicated to accelerating start-ups with sustainable and social impact in the agri-food and “techstyle” sectors. It combines a venture capital fund, co-working spaces, strategic partnerships, professional events and an innovation gallery-concept store: Fabrica X.
Within Fabrica X, The Mills Fabrica highlights sustainable innovations and brands that are redefining the way we produce and consume. Through its exhibitions and product selection, Fabrica X aims to inspire, educate and empower everyone to make informed choices that benefit people and the planet.
Free exhibition – Performance Without Toxicity – The Mills Fabrica X
26 January to 26 June 2026, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
36–40 York Way, King’s Cross, London, N1 9AB
Tickets available on themillsfabrica.com
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