Ecotextile News e-newsletter 29.10.14

By Stacey Dove
29 October 2014

Ecotextile News e-bulletin

Wednesday 29 October 2014

VF Corp launches textile chemical screening tool

VF Corporation has launched a groundbreaking new method to screen for hazardous trace chemicals in textile formulations before they enter the mill. Costing only around US$50 per chemical sample, it is claimed the new ‘Chem-IQ’ process for the textile industry can pinpoint minute traces of more than 400 potentially hazardous substances before they are ever used in production.

Brands commit to sustainable fibre sourcing

Retailers including Marks and Spencer, Levi Strauss, ASOS and Artiza have committed to environmental organisation Canopy’s sustainable forest fibres sourcing commitment.

Greenpeace report spotlights discount retailers

Greenpeace has targeted German discount retailers in a new report which claims that more than half of laboratory tested clothing samples from stores such as Aldi and Lidl were found contain chemicals known to be dangerous to health and the environment.

Kering in sustainable fashion partnership

Leading apparel and accessories company Kering, whose brands include Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Puma and Gucci, has announced a new five year partnership with the London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF) aiming to support sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

Reach regulation criticised for lacking teeth

In a marked critique of the way in which REACH is imposed at a recent chemicals conference in Brussels, it was claimed there is currently a “massive variability in how much enforcement different EU countries actually do.”

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.

Patagonia video educates on down

Outdoor apparel retailer Patagonia has released a new short film which aims to highlight the work of its Traceable Down Standard and help educate consumers on the goose down supply chain.

Bamboo sourcing commitment from EcoPlanet

Bamboo plantation operator EcoPlanet has committed to a sourcing policy for alternatives to using endangered forests for fibres including rayon and viscose.

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.