* Age, sex, and region quotas were established in accordance with 2019 population projections from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The report introduces next-gen materials by saying, "A new category of high performance and more sustainable materials are emerging as an alternative to materials traditionally sourced from animals, including leather, silk, fur, wool, down, and ‘exotic’ skins."
Respondents were given a description of "next-gen materials" before completing the survey, including the following information, "In the last few years, rapid advances in science and technology have given rise to a new materials industry. Mission-driven companies are designing new types of materials for fashion, automobile, and homegoods products. Although made in different ways, these materials are all: High performance, More sustainable, Animal-free."
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U.S. consumers' preferred names for next-gen materials 2021
Next-gen materials are defined by the source as high performance and more sustainable alternatives to materials traditionally sourced from animals, including leather, silk, fur, wool, down, and ‘exotic’ skins. Of the various alternative names listed as options in the 2021 survey, eco materials was the most popular choice among U.S. consumers, with over a quarter of respondents picking this option.
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Material Innovation Initiative. (September 1, 2021). Preferred nomenclature of next-generation materials among consumers in the United States in 2021 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 23, 2026, from /statistics/1316384/next-gen-material-preferred-name/
Material Innovation Initiative. "Preferred nomenclature of next-generation materials among consumers in the United States in 2021." Chart. September 1, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 23, 2026. /statistics/1316384/next-gen-material-preferred-name/
Material Innovation Initiative. (2021). Preferred nomenclature of next-generation materials among consumers in the United States in 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 23, 2026. /statistics/1316384/next-gen-material-preferred-name/
Material Innovation Initiative. "Preferred Nomenclature of Next-generation Materials among Consumers in The United States in 2021." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 1 Sep 2021, /statistics/1316384/next-gen-material-preferred-name/
Material Innovation Initiative, Preferred nomenclature of next-generation materials among consumers in the United States in 2021 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1316384/next-gen-material-preferred-name/ (last visited July 23, 2026)
Preferred nomenclature of next-generation materials among consumers in the United States in 2021 [Graph], Material Innovation Initiative, September 1, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1316384/next-gen-material-preferred-name/
