Kimberly-Clark Announces Alternative Fiber Program

Kimberly-Clark is focusing on the potential of Hesperaloe, a native, low-water-use plant that thrives in the arid climate of the Southwest U.S., as an alternative fiber to be integrated across its hygiene products portfolio. As part of its commitment to Better Care for a Better World, K-C researchers have developed a patented technology platform by transforming fibers from the succulent plant into a sustainable material and are establishing a pilot facility in Yuma, AZ dedicated to advancing Hesperaloe-related research efforts. The company expects these efforts to strengthen its long-term fiber supply resilience and advance its responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Through The Alternative Natural Fiber program, K-C reportedly evaluated more than 70 potential  fiber candidates across performance, sustainability and cost criteria before singling out Hesperaloe. This plant and its proprietary technologies yield a rapidly renewable natural fiber source that can achieve K-C performance and quality standards.

In addition to the pilot facility, K-C is collaborating with growers, technical experts, and community stakeholders in Arizona, California, and across the broader U.S. Southwest to evaluate Hesperaloe’s potential as a year-round source of agricultural and economic opportunity. Compared with several crops currently grown in the region, Hesperaloe requires less water to cultivate, offering potential benefits for growers, local communities and regional water stewardship efforts.

“This represents an exciting moonshot for Kimberly-Clark and the culmination of more than two decades of materials and plant science expertise,” says Craig Slavtcheff, Chief Research and Development Officer at Kimberly-Clark. “We have developed a highly proprietary technology platform rooted in alternative fiber research and believe that these novel natural fibers will form our next great materials platform – an innovation with the potential to reshape the hygiene category. While testing continues, we are optimistic by early results and believe this material will provide curve-bending performance in our products while strengthening our long-term growth and supply chain resilience and accelerating our journey toward a future less dependent on traditional fiber sources.”