Ecotextile News e-newsletter 22.10.14

By Stacey Dove
22 October 2014

Ecotextile News e-bulletin

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Vietnamese women working on a weaving machine

Vietnam: proceed with caution

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said this week that he expects export-led growth to help drive the local economy in 2015 but sounded a note of caution by suggesting that geo-political risk, particularly territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea, represent an ongoing challenge to the country.

Environmental cost of a T-shirt: US $3.75

Researchers in Denmark have calculated the environmental ‘cost’ of producing a basic cotton T-shirt to be around US$3.75.

M&S updates on mobile technology

UK retailer Marks and Spencer has shared updates on its supplier survey technology which allows the company to canvass the views of workers in its supply chain.

Questions over Bangladesh factory initiatives

Serious questions have been raised about whether the two initiatives established in the wake of the Rana Plaza building collapse have the scope and vision to bring about much-needed reform in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment manufacturing sector.

More brands commit to responsible down

Major apparel companies, including outdoor clothing brands Marmot and Helly Hansen have joined H&M, The North Face and Mammut to adopt a third-party certification standard which aims to ensure traceability and the humane treatment of animals within the down supply chain.

Job of the week

Careers in Textiles Materials Specialist Timberland – UK

Innovating around new fabric technologies and sustainable alternatives.

For more information and to apply see Careers in Textiles.

Resource consumption tool for brands

A new garment supply chain traceability technology from Bangladesh apparel manufacturer M&J Group, who reportedly produce clothing for retailers including H&M, Esprit, GAP and Macys, is said to provide certifiable data on resources used in garment production.

Mixed response to sustainable textile alliance

The unveiling of an ambitious German initiative, which is pressing for more environmentally and socially responsible, clothing supply chains, has met with a mixed response.

NEW ISSUE: Ecotextile News Oct/Nov 2014

ETN Oct/Nov PFCs: Here to stay?, Phil Patterson discusses the complexity of Restricted Substance Lists, Two Minutes with: Peter Untersperger, CEO, Lenzing Group, BCI cotton gets new boost, Global Recycling Standard update, Tone Tobiasson discusses whether paying more for clothing will help address manufacturing environmental issues, Textiles targeted in China crack down on polluters, Bayer progress on sustainable PU range, Italian firms in Greenpeace detox pledge, The Bigger Picture – Fantastic plastic?, and all the latest news, insight, analysis.