Could the advent of the 'Virtual Department Store' ultimately lead to more responsible chemical management in apparel supply chains? Phil Patterson thinks so.
DHAKA - The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) has called on the Bangladesh government and the country’s major textile industry trade body to end the ongoing detention and the continued threat of detention, of thousands of workers…
GENEVA - Annual profits from forced labour rose to $236 billion globally in 2021 - a 37% increase since 2014, according to a new study from the International Labour Organization (ILO). Forced labour is a major concern in the fashion and textiles…
PARIS - Blockchain technology specialist TextileGenesis has launched an upgraded version of its sold-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, which offers the fashion sector a secure and digitised traceability system for all materials and garments. Part of the…
STOCKHOLM - H&M Foundation has linked up with the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) initiative to accelerate and scale the recycling of post-industrial textile waste in fashion sourcing countries. The three-year partnership aims to help expand 'National…
MUNICH - Stretch yarn manufacturer Asahi Kasei and cellulosic fibre specialist Lenzing have created a new partnership to develop a portfolio of sustainable and circular-driven textiles. The fabrics under development will be blends of Asahi’s Roica…
ISTANBUL – The Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB) has signed a collaboration agreement with US-based non-profit, Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP) as part of a plan to boost Turkish apparel exports to the US market. The…
BRUSSELS - European proposals to make companies responsible for human rights and environmental issues in their global supply chains have finally been approved - albeit with significant concessions. The European Union's landmark Corporate…
STOCKHOLM - The trustee appointed to oversee Renewcell’s bankruptcy proceedings has extended the deadline for the receipt of offers for the troubled textile recycling firm. The deadline has been extended to 12:00 pm CET on 28 March, 2024 in order to…
LENZING – Cellulosic fibre specialist Lenzing has posted a significantly wider loss for its full year 2023, hurt by lower demand and the continued rise in raw material and energy costs. Posting a net loss of €593 million, down from a loss of €37.2…
TÜBINGEN – Italian synthetic yarn manufacturer Fulgar and textile chemical supplier CHT have teamed up to reduce the impact of dyeing the latter’s ‘Q-Cycle’ recycled nylon yarns. The process being used is CHT’s BeSo Responsible treatment, part of…
PARIS – A bill which would impose an environmental surcharge of up to €10 ($11) per garment on ultra-fast fashion companies, such as China-owned Shein, has been approved by France's National Assembly. All voting lawmakers in the lower house of the…
BENTONVILLE – Retail giant Walmart has embarked on a pilot project with fashion technology firm Unspun that will use 3D weaving technology to help reduce the environmental impact of garment production and reduce waste. If successful, the…
SPONSORED CONTENT – Austrian fibre manufacturer Lenzing has revealed its progress against the company's environmental and social targets with the publication of its 2023 sustainability report. Underpinning the company’s ‘Naturally Positive’…
HERZOGENAURACH - Sportswear giant Puma has achieved its first science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets seven years ahead of schedule, according to its latest sustainability report The report, ‘Play faster. Forever Play’, shows that Puma…
JYVÄSKYLÄ – Scandinavian textile fibre innovator Spinnova has launched a cost-cutting review and shaken up its management team on the back of disappointing financial results for 2023 which saw revenues plummet and losses soar. Spinnova's results,…
AMSTERDAM – Sourcing technology specialist Sourcery has launched a new data collection programme that it hopes will bring together high levels of transparency and traceability to the cotton supply chain. The primary aim of the Impact and Assurance…
BRUSSELS - MEPs have today voted to strengthen a proposed extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for textile waste as part of a revision of the European Union's (EU) Waste Framework Directive. The European Parliament agreed the EPR scheme,…
LONDON - More than 40 fashion retailers and textile and clothing manufacturers have had their Science Based Targets initiative-approved (SBTi) net-zero commitments removed after it emerged that previously agreed scope 3 reduction targets were…
BOSTON – The Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has partnered with PDS Ventures, the innovation and investment arm of apparel manufacturer PDS, to launch a new Trailblazer programme. The new initiative will work to identify early-stage innovators in the…
WEINHEIM - Freudenberg Performance Materials has completed the 4sustainability Chemical Management protocol (4s CHEM) for its Apparel Competence Center located in Sant’Omero, Italy. The aim of the protocol is to progressively eliminate toxic and…
BRUSSELS – Legislation which would require companies to justify the environmental claims made for their products has today been overwhelmingly backed by the European Parliament. A full plenary session of parliament voted to adopt the European…
STOCKHOLM –The Scandinavian Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) next week hosts its Climate Action Week for Fashion and Apparel to highlight the “daunting” challenges facing the industry in meeting its carbon targets. Experts from across…
BAAR-ZUG - Swiss global impact investor Blue Earth Capital has closed its first sustainability-linked loan with a $30 million credit investment in a leading vertically integrated apparel manufacturer in Bangladesh. Q Collection will use the finance…
MILAN – Apparel insulation specialist Thermore has launched a new high-stretch fabric made with 50% post-consumer recycled polyester. Branded as Freedom, Thermore says the new insulation comes in four levels of warmth, ranging from 60-150 grams per…
TOKYO - Japanese textile manufacturer Toray Industries has announced that four of its flagship plants have been awarded ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) Plus certification. ISCC Plus uses the mass balance approach to manage…
WARSAW - Polish fashion group LPP, which operates brands such as Reserved, Cropp, House, Mohito and Sinsay, is expanding its used clothing collection programme to include some of its international retail sites. LPP began its used clothing collection…
BRUSSELS - More than 80 organisations have signed a joint letter urging EU policymakers to recognise the contribution to circularity of social economy enterprises in the upcoming revision of the Waste Framework Directive. The Waste Framework…
LONDON - The Circular Fashion Innovator’s Fund, hosted by eBay in partnership with the British Fashion Council and environmental charity Hubbub, has selected six small businesses pioneering waste reduction to benefit from new funding. Swoperz, which…
SPONSORED CONTENT - ERCA TCS, an independent company that’s part of the larger ERCA Group based in Bergamo, Italy, is a global reference point in the supply of responsible certified chemical products entirely dedicated to the textile industry.…
LONDON - Textile traceability specialist Trimco Group, recycling and sorting firm Tomra and software supplier Kezzler have joined forces to develop a new platform to help support sustainability in the fashion industry and the transition to…
HURTH - The global market for biopolymers, which are increasingly seen as a way of helping lower carbon emissions and improve both circularity and transparency in textile supply chains, will grow by 17% over the next five years, according to a new…
PRATTELN – Speciality chemicals company Archroma has launched Albafix Eco Plus, a new wet-fastness treatment that helps brands and mills improve the durability and colour quality of clothing and other textiles without the use of hazardous chemicals.…
WASHINGTON DC - The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted new rules requiring companies to disclose their climate-related risks and CO2 emissions to investors - albeit with significant concessions. Around 10,000 large companies,…
Helsinki – Infinited Fiber Company, which produces cellulosic fibres from textile waste, has raised €40 million in a new funding round, which includes investment from several leading brands and retailers including Zara owner Inditex. The two-part…
SAN FRANCISCO – The world’s largest fashion brands made “zero progress” on reducing their environmental and social impacts last year, according to a new report. Workers’ rights NGO Remake’s 2024 Fashion Accountability Report scores 52 leading…
LUND - A research team from Sweden’s Lund University says it has succeeded in making 100% chemically recycled viscose fibre from worn-out cotton sheets. The team says it identified viscose as a potential area for research as there is no…
BRUSSELS - European legislators are expected tomorrow to make a last ditch effort to agree a deal on legislation to make brands and retailers liable for human rights and environmental issues in their global supply chains. However, it is believed…
JYVÄSKYLÄ - Finnish textile fibre innovator Spinnova and Suzano have signed a letter of intent (LOI) regarding a potential new production facility for wood-based Spinnova fibre that will be owned and operated by the Brazil-based pulp giant. The…
JOHANNESBURG – South African pulp and paper company Sappi has partnered with UK materials innovator Biophilica on the latter’s 'Treekind' leather alternative. Biophilica has formulated the compostable, plastic-free leather alternative with…
SINGAPORE – The Singapore International Commercial Court has ordered the sale of DyStar by its joint shareholders Kiri Industries and Senda International Capital Limited – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Zhejiang Longsheng Group – after a long…
ZWINGENBERG / NEURIED - German biotechnology companies Brain Biotech and AMSilk have completed the first phase of their collaboration programme with the development of their first natural structural protein fibre and the subsequent patent…
SAN FRANCISCO – Gap Inc. has committed to Ambercycle's recycled polyester made from end-of-life textiles in its Athleta branded performance apparel from 2026. Based in Los Angeles, Ambercycle uses enzymes to break down polyester into environmentally…
WASHINGTON DC - A new US bill to counter the economic influence of China includes more than $14 billion in incentives to accelerate the transition of the fashion and textiles industry to circularity. The Americas Trade and Investment Act (Americas…
FAISALBAD - Textile waste management specialist Reverse Resources (RR) and Pakistan’s National Textile University have launched a joint programme aimed at transforming the county’s textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling landscape. Established primarily…
STOCKHOLM – Retail giant H&M has committed to buying $600 million worth of recycled polyester over seven years to support the expansion of a new textile-to-textile recycling project. The deal follows a collaboration with investment groups Vargas and…
BRUSSELS - The European Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on legislation to ban the products made with forced labour from the European single market. It follows the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act in the US…
OAKLAND - ThredUp Inc., one of the fashion industry’s largest online resale platforms for apparel, shoes and accessories, has narrowed its loss for its fourth quarter, helped by increased user numbers and stronger revenues. Total net loss for the…
STOCKHOLM - Climate tech company eComID, which is working to help the fashion industry reduce online product returns and shrink its environmental footprint, has raised €2.75 million in pre-seed funding which it will use to advance its AI-powered…
AMSTERDAM - Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has launched the latest version of its Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM), part of the Higg Index suite of tools to help the fashion and textile industry measure its impacts. The new…
LONDON - A new peer-to-peer marketplace for pre-loved fashion will launch in the UK this month. Branded as Nold (new to old), the platform, which is backed by 11 venture capital firms, will allow users to list their items by selecting from an…
PENNSYLVANIA - Global standards organisation ASTM International and the Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop new standards for industrial hemp. Hemp is reported to provide…
NEW YORK - Innovative funding models will be needed if fashion and textiles suppliers - who are responsible for the bulk of the industry's CO2 emissions - are to play their part in meeting climate change targets. That is the conclusion of a new…
DHAKA - The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has published a new report claiming that with the right level of investment, the country’s non-cotton apparel exports could be worth $42 billion by 2032, surging from its…
AMSTERDAM - More than 500 garment factories across India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia have now joined the Life and Building Safety (LABS) programme to improve worker safety. LABS, set up by the Dutch sustainable trade initiative IDH, is…
LEEDS - Applications are now open for researchers, businesses and other organisations to apply for funding to run targeted research projects that will provide new insights, evidence and data to help drive sustainability practices in the UK’s fashion…
LONDON - The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has released two new reports to support the design and implementation of beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM) strategies and mobilise increased action from corporations, including fashion and…
DENTON - Researchers at the University of Texas have been awarded a $635,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a study aimed at developing more sustainable cotton fibres. The initiative focuses on the potential of bast fibres,…
GENEVA - The Better Cotton initiative has launched a new farm-level project in Pakistan to digitalise field data collection in the country’s cotton-growing sector. The launch of the project is in response to an increasing demand from consumers,…
LONDON - N Brown Group, owner of the JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo brands N Brown has announced that its net-zero emissions targets have been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi has backed the brand’s target to…
WADHURST - Outdoor clothing aftercare and waterproofing specialist Nikwax says it has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability strategy by successfully achieving its scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emission reduction goals, 18 months earlier…
DENVER – Outdoor brand The North Face is working with a US Department of Energy-led consortium to determine whether bio-based synthetic textiles could offer a more sustainable raw material for its products. The Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep…
ITHACA - Four key fashion supply countries risk losing $65 billion in export earnings and one million jobs by the end of the decade because of the impacts of climate change, according to a new report. The study, conducted by Cornell University and…
DENVER - Fashion giant VF Corp, which owns brands such as Timberland, Vans, Dickies and North Face, has defended its record on climate change after its latest sustainability report revealed an increase in its supply chain GHG emissions . The…
COLOMBO – Apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka have partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the Global Language of Business (GS1) on a new transparency, traceability and accountability…
STOCKHOLM – Swedish textile recycling pioneer Renewcell says it is hopeful the company will continue as a going concern under new ownership despite being declared bankrupt this week. It comes as the Circulose Supplier Network of 151 companies…
CLERMONT-FERRAND - Biotech firm Carbios has struck a deal with Landbell Group, a supplier of closed-loop recycling solutions, for the latter to supply raw materials to its new PET biorecycling plant. Currently under construction, Carbios is building…
DHAKA - Textile workers in Bangladesh have been awarded a 75% rise in their minimum wage - however, the new level of BDT 10,000 ($90) per month has been branded insufficient by trade unions. It comes three months after the country's garment workers…
WAKEFIELD – If the global textile sector is to reduce the impact of its CO2 emissions on the planet – it first needs to know where they come from in the supply chain. To explain one way to do this, Philip Berman is joined by Ecotextile News…
LONDON - A major research paper is challenging the UK government to do more to tackle microfibre pollution by mandating for filters in all new washing machines. The paper, ‘Filtration as an effective and near-term solution to reduce the release of…
BRUSSELS - European Union proposals to make companies liable for human rights and environmental impacts in their global supply chains have been dealt a major blow today when they failed to achieve the approval of the European Council. A vote on the…
NAPA - Global financial backing for next-gen material companies increased in 2023 with the industry reporting an 8.6% rise in investment funding, according to a new report. The report, ‘Next-Gen Materials 2023’ from the Material Innovation…
ISTANBUL - A new report published by the Clean Clothes Campaign Turkey has revealed the harmful impact of using potassium permanganate (PP) in the denim bleaching process. The report, which approached 44 brands for their input, focuses on the effect…
COPENHAGEN - Scientists in Denmark claim they have developed a new process for dyeing blue denim which reduces the environmental impacts associated with indigo by as much as 92%. Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark used indican, a…
LONDON - Ultra fast fashion giant Shein is reportedly exploring the option of a public listing in London amidst concerns its initial public offering (IPO) bid in New York will be blocked over its ties to China. UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt had…
DEARBORN - Workwear brand Carhartt is to expand its resale program following a successful pilot programme. Operated in cooperation with Trove, which equips brands and retailers with the technology to create and scale branded resale programmes,…
GREENSBORO – North Carolina-based fibre innovator Unifi, the company behind Repreve-branded recycled polyester, has published a new report revealing progress against its sustainability targets and setting out new goals. The company commits to…
STOCKHOLM – Textile recycling pioneer Renewcell's application for bankruptcy has been approved by Stockholm District Court. The company, which opened the world's first scale textile-to-textile recycling plant in late 2022, filed for bankruptcy after…
NEW YORK / MUNICH - The Accelerating Circularity initiative has joined forces with the Performance Days exhibition to launch a database of commercially available textile-to-textile recycled polyester. The Reality Zone rPolyester Database will be…
DENVER - VF Corp has extended its support for a programme that helps women garment workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased automation, re-enter employment. The owner of major brands such as Timberland, Vans, Dickies and North Face,…
GAZIPUR - Fairtrade has launched an investigation into allegations that union officials were beaten up outside the gates of one of its certified garment factories in Bangladesh. Shariful Islam and Jagdish Babu, of the Akota Garment Worker Federation…
ABU DHABI - The World Trade Organisation (WTO) and world football’s governing body FIFA have reaffirmed their joint commitment to work together to examine how international trade and football can serve as catalysts for economic growth with the…
STOCKHOLM - The Scandinavian Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) has confirmed a new raft of speakers for its upcoming webinar series aimed at highlighting the challenges facing the apparel industry in reducing its carbon footprint.…
NEW YORK – US fashion retailer J.Crew has teamed up with logistics specialist SuperCircle to launch a swimwear take-back programme The ‘Second-Life Swim’ programme will be available both in J.Crew stores and online and will aim to recycle swimwear…
SAN FRANCISCO - The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is rebranding as 'Cascale' to reflect its expansion into areas beyond apparel and footwear as it continues its mission to reduce industry impacts through its Higg Index suite of tools. It comes…
STOCKHOLM – Textile recycling pioneer Renewcell has decided to file for bankruptcy after failing to secure sufficient financing to continue its operations. “This is a sad day for the environment, our employees, our shareholders, and our other…
BRUSSELS - The Global Recycling Foundation (GRF) has called for an increase in the use of artificial intelligence solutions to help drive the growth of world trade in recyclables. According to the GRF, which supports the promotion of recycling…
BERLIN - Online fashion retailer Zalando is to make significant changes to the way it promotes the sustainable credentials of its clothing collections following an investigation by European regulators. Following discussions with the European…
ARTEIXO - Inditex, owner of the Zara brand says it has reinforced its commitment to the emergency programmes of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the refugee relief work being done by the humanitarian organisation in Bangladesh and Mexico,…
LONDON – Textile and fashion industry stakeholders that operate in Europe, and who have set ambitious climate reduction targets to meet the requirements of the EU Green Deal, could struggle to meet their scope 1 and 2 reduction targets – never mind…
AHMEDABAD – Retail giant H&M has partnered with its long-standing denim supplier Arvind Limited and Indian start-up Deven Supercriticals to explore the feasibility of supercritical CO2 dyeing of natural fibres, a technique that has previously been…
PARIS - Merino wool supplier Nativa, part of the Chargeurs Group, is expanding into cotton grown through regenerative agricultural practices. The cotton will be grown in Greece under the Nativa Regenerative Agriculture Program which aims to improve…
STOCKHOLM – Textile recycling pioneer Renewcell has welcomed 35 new members to its Circulose Supplier Network (CSN) bringing the total to 151 companies working to use the Swedish firm’s dissolving pulp. Launched last July with 47 textile companies…
VANCOUVER – Environmental nonprofit Canopy has announced that three Chinese fashion groups have become the first from the region to join its CanopyStyle and Pack4Good supply chain initiatives. The Ellassay Group, which owns owns Chinese brand…
GAZIPUR - Union officials who tried to help garment workers set up a trade union at a Bangladeshi supplier to global brands and retailers, including H&M and Next, were threatened and beaten, according to campaigners. Shariful Islam and Jagdish Babu,…
WAKEFIELD – For the first of a new three-part series in our Ecotextile Talks podcast, produced in partnership with the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), our host Philip Berman is joined by two leading figures behind an ambitious attempt to reduce the…
LONDON - The CottonConnect social enterprise is claiming significant progress across all of the key areas of its programmes in its latest impact report. More than 523,000 farmers were trained in sustainable agriculture programmes in India, Pakistan,…
HERZOGENAURACH – Sportswear giant Adidas has joined the environmental non-profit Canopy's CanopyStyle and Pack4Good initiatives. It means the company is committing that all of its textiles, paper and paper packaging will be free of fibre sourced…
LOGANHOLME – Australian textile recycling pioneer BlockTexx has completed a AU$7 million Series B funding round to scale its technology. The investment will be used to expand BlockTexx’s textile recovery facility in Loganholme, Queensland from 4,000…
NEW YORK - A comprehensive report on gender inequality in the clothing and textile manufacturing sector has found significant pay gaps in favour of men across the global supply chain. The report, carried out by the non-profit Anker Research…
VANCOUVER / CANBERRA – Canadian athleticwear brand Lululemon has linked up with Australian recycling company Samsara Eco to create what is claimed to be the world’s first garment made with enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6. Lululemon has created…