http://www.ecotextile.com/ 2012-02-23T14:20:03+00:00 text/html 2012-02-23T09:10:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ John Mowbray http://www.ecotextile.com/2012022311399/dyes-chemicals-news/dystar-joins-un-global-compact.html SINGAPORE – Textile dyestuff supplier DyStar has joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) as part of its strategic initiative to strengthen its commitment towards sustainability in the textile chemicals sector. text/html 2012-02-22T13:54:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012022211397/materials-production-news/roadmap-needs-a-right-turn.html LEEDS - A stakeholder consultation on the proposed roadmap to the zero discharge of toxic chemicals in the supply chains of adidas, C&A, H&M, Li Ning, Nike and Puma has raised some concerns about its current viability, writes John Mowbray. text/html 2012-02-22T13:39:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012022211396/materials-production-news/mozambique-joins-cotton-made-in-africa.html HAMBURG – The Aid by Trade Foundation’s Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative is expanding in Southeast Africa with the addition of Mozambique to the five existing partnership countries. text/html 2012-02-21T16:55:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012022111395/fashion-retail-news/recycled-polyester-key-for-nike.html NEW YORK – Recycled raw materials play a major role in the latest collection of lightweight, performance sportswear jerseys from Nike, many of which will be worn by several international teams in competitions this summer. text/html 2012-02-20T18:10:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012022011394/labels-legislation-news/joca-ends-certification-standard-unites-with-gots.html TOKYO - The Japanese Organic Cotton Association has abolished its document verifying certification system and the use of the two quality labels ‘pure’ and ‘blended’. Instead it will now certify organic products in relation to the Global Organic Textile Standard while also offering the JOCA ‘family’ label. text/html 2012-02-17T15:58:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021711393/materials-production-news/analysis-goodbye-to-the-curse-of-dual-certification.html LEEDS - The February 15th news that the EU and US have agreed to allow the sale of organic products certified under each other's specific organic standards in both markets has been greeted with a certain amount of triumphalism, as “supporting jobs and businesses on a global scale”. What does this mean for organic fibres and textiles, asks Simon Ferrigno? A closer inspection reveals that this measure is really only good news for producers and manufacturers in the US and EU as “Currently, this agreement only covers products exported from and certified in the United States or the European Union”. text/html 2012-02-17T11:11:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021711392/labels-legislation-news/eu-and-us-strike-organic-certification-deal.html NUREMBERG - The European Union and the United States have agreed a historic partnership that will see organic products certified in Europe or the US sold as organic in either region. text/html 2012-02-16T15:49:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021611391/fashion-retail-news/new-textile-standard-for-laundries.html CONSHOHOCKEN - ASTM International has announced a consultation period for a proposed new textile standard that will identify and define sustainable best management practices that are used in commercial laundry facilities to reduce their impact on the environment. text/html 2012-02-16T12:08:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021611390/materials-production-news/ikea-ramps-up-sustainable-cotton-use.html CONSHOHOCKEN – IKEA has increased its use of sustainable cotton to 23% of its total cotton use, according to the company’s 2011 Sustainability Report. text/html 2012-02-15T16:04:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ John Mowbray http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021511388/dyes-chemicals-news/nanosilver-textile-debate-rages-on.html WASHINGTON – As part of the current legal wrangle between the U.S. EPA and the Natural Resources Defense Council over nanosilver in textiles, HeiQ has defended the environmental credentials of its anti-microbial technology that has been flagged up by the NRDC. text/html 2012-02-15T13:14:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ John Mowbray http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021511387/dyes-chemicals-news/new-reactive-dyes-save-on-salt-and-water.html MONTLINGEN - A new range of high fixation reactive textile dyes from Bezema that produce rich, dark shades on cotton have been introduced as a new cost-effective, environmental alternative to standard reactive dyes. text/html 2012-02-15T11:30:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021511386/materials-production-news/baroness-young-appointed-abtf-ambassador.html HAMBUG - The Aid by Trade Foundation, which operates the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative is expanding its network in Great Britain with the appointment of Baroness Lola Young as the foundation’s new ambassador. text/html 2012-02-14T17:17:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021411385/shows-events/fespa-reinforces-sustainability-pledge.html BARCELONA - The organisers of FESPA say that the exhibition’s commitment to supporting the global print community in becoming more sustainable will continue at FESPA Digital 2012 in Barcelona from February 21-24, 2012. At the show, printers will be able to benefit from free, independent advice from global experts on how to embed sustainable printing techniques within their business at the FESPA Planet Friendly Printing Zone (stand B15a) which will be open every day of the show. Visitors will also have access to a whole host of environmental features and content at the show. Whether a printer is already involved in sustainable printing techniques, or is just setting out and is unclear where to start, FESPA says it has gathered together global experts in the field of sustainable printing who will be able to offer invaluable advice and tips to ensure their business is leading in this key area. The global sustainable printing professionals offering their expertise include: Paul Machin (author of the FESPA Planet Friendly Printing Guide); Laurel Brunner (leader of the Verdigris Project, and co-author of several EU standards relating to sustainability); Clare Taylor, (leading sustainable printing consultant); Dennis Geelen (FEBELGRA secretary and environmental expert); and Michel Caza (FESPA board member, screenprinting legend and co-author of the FESPA Planet Friendly Guide), plus a host of guests from organisations such as the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management. The two-day Planet Friendly Printing Conference within the Explore Conference programme (room 4.1) will focus on sustainability and the content is designed to offer insight from customers, printers and consultants on the drivers for adopting a more sustainable approach to business, the 'why to be green' - and on the many routes to improving the sustainable performance of your business - the 'how to be green'. The 'how to be green' presentations and debates are underpinned by three hour-long Planet Friendly Printing Workshops (room 4.3) giving more detailed insight and advice on improving sustainable credentials in the area of carbon footprinting and energy efficiency. Since 2004, FESPA has published the Planet Friendly Printing Guide which interprets and distils environmental best practice and legislation for printers and offers detailed advice on environmental management. To date, the Planet Friendly Printing Guide has only been available to members of FESPA's 37 member associations. The latest version of the guide (11th edition) will remain exclusive to FESPA members. However, recognising that sustainability is a significant issue for all printers, FESPA will make an abridged version of the guide available to non-member printers around the world. Visitors can register for a free copy of the abridged Planet Friendly Printing Guide from the FESPA stand (B15). FESPA's Managing Director, Neil Felton commented: "Sustainability in printing is an issue that FESPA has championed within our community since 2004 as we encourage printers to embrace more planet friendly printing practices. The latest FESPA Economy Survey also highlighted that over 62% of respondents indicated that 'green' printing, or printing using more environmentally-friendly practices has seen an increase in demand as a service. Our continued emphasis on Planet Friendly Printing further helps to reinforce the message that sustainability can support profitability, while our vendor - neutral approach means that our advice and content is free of commercial ties.” FESPA's Planet Friendly Printing initiatives are part of its ongoing Profit for Purpose programme. Printers can register for an appointment with an expert in the zone. CLICK HERE (http://www.fespa.com/digital/en/planet-friendly-printing/117-fespa-planet-friendly-printing-zone.html) for more details text/html 2012-02-14T14:01:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021411384/materials-production-news/newlife-at-premiere-vision.html PARIS - The Filature Miroglio stand at this week’s Premiere Vision exhibition in Paris is focusing firmly on products made with the company’s recycled yarns and the Newlife Eco-Innovation Library. text/html 2012-02-13T16:39:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021311383/shows-events/class-teams-up-with-white-exhibition.html MILAN - C.L.A.S.S., the sustainability forum for textiles and design has teamed up with White, one of Europe’s leading lifestyle exhibition platforms, to present a ‘show within a show’ at events in Milan and New York. text/html 2012-02-10T18:18:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ John Mowbray http://www.ecotextile.com/2012021011382/free/speedo-and-puma-attend-future-factory.html NOTTINGHAM – Speakers from Puma and Speedo International will feature at a one-day ‘Sustainability Means Business’ event hosted by The Future Factory at Nottingham Trent University next month. The seminar aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises to understand and demonstrate the sustainable credentials of their products, processes or services. Guest speakers include Rob Brown, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility at Speedo International, who as part of the Speedo CR strategy is implementing a sustainable product plan. Also on the list is the Head of ‘PUMA.Safe Ecology’ who is responsible for Puma’s innovative Environmental Profit & Loss account which helps Puma focus on how to reduce its environmental impact. The account has shown that 94% of the company’s €145 million environmental cost is contained within its supply chain. In addition, key speakers will include Andy Caughy, Armadillo Marino a UK supplier of merino wool base layer clothing, Megan Gawith, form the UK Climates Impact Programme (UKCIP), Debra Easter, manager of the Future Factory Project housed at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) together with senior NTU lecturer Lynn Oxborrow. A spokeperson from NTU said, “Our event will look at the issues, and hear from those at the top of big businesses about the importance they place on the environmental sustainability of their supply chain.” the event takes place on Tuesday 13th March. To book your free place: email futurefactory@ntu.ac.uk (mailto:futurefactory@ntu.ac.uk) or phone +44 (115) 8488675. All places have been subsidised by Future Factory, a sustainable design project run via Nottingham Trent University; www.ntu.ac.uk/futurefactory (http://www.ntu.ac.uk/futurefactory) text/html 2012-02-09T20:34:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012020911381/materials-production-news/sri-lanka-factory-achieves-carbon-neutral-first.html COLOMBO - An apparel factory in Sri Lanka has become the first in Asia to be awarded Carbon Neutral factory certification. text/html 2012-02-09T15:21:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012020911380/materials-production-news/gots-certification-for-fabric-suppliers.html CALIFORNIA - US-based fabric designer Harmony Art and online fabric retailer Organic Cotton Plus, both based in California, have been certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). text/html 2012-02-08T16:24:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ Haydn Davis http://www.ecotextile.com/2012020811378/materials-production-news/otto-austria-launches-education-initiative.html HAMBURG - Otto Austria, a subsidiary of the Otto Group, is to work closely with the Aid by Trade Foundation on a new project aimed at supporting adult education initiatives in Burkina Faso. The program will offer 5,000 African smallholder farmers who work with the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative basic education in the form of alphabetization courses, part of a wider sustainable development process. text/html 2012-02-08T13:01:00+00:00 http://www.ecotextile.com/ John Mowbray http://www.ecotextile.com/2012020811377/materials-production-news/biomass-fabrics-for-sportswear-within-two-years.html MUNICH – At last week’s ISPO 2012 sports gear trade show in Munich, Toray announced that the first functional performance nylon and polyester textiles based on biomass will be ready by the 2013/14 season. The company says these 100% bio-based fabrics will be used by leading brands to produce 'eco-shells' for outdoor water-proof clothing that are both lightweight and breathable.