Materials & Production News
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Friday, 14 August 2020Leicester: Authorities start surprise inspections
LEICESTER – A multi-agency operation led by the Gangsters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is executing unannounced visits on Leicester garment factories, to ensure sites are complying with workplace safety standards, following findings in recent… -
Friday, 14 August 2020Bacteria 'could make nylon production sustainable'
EDINBURGH - Scientists say that nylon manufacture could be made more sustainable by the discovery that bacteria can make a key chemical involved in the process without emitting harmful greenhouse gases. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh say… -
Thursday, 13 August 2020Applied DNA waits on cotton-tagging patent
STONY BROOK – Molecular technologies specialist Applied DNA Sciences (ADNAS) has received a Notice of Allowance for its outstanding US patent application, entitled Method and Device for Marking Fibrous Materials. With a patent set to be issued in… -
Thursday, 13 August 2020Cambodia: project to empower women in the workforce
PHNOM PENH – A new three-year project launched by a coalition of NGOs in Cambodia will support women in industries like garment manufacture, as they strive to promote better governance. The initiative, called Greater Young Women Empowerment in… -
Thursday, 13 August 2020Scientists produce spider silk from bacteria
TOKYO - Japanese scientists say they have succeeded in producing spider silk from photosynthetic bacteria in a breakthrough which they say could lead to sustainable mass production for textiles. Extremely strong, lightweight and completely… -
Thursday, 13 August 2020Valentino bans alpaca wool
MILAN – Luxury fashion brand Valentino has banned alpaca wool from its future fashion collections, having caught wind of the findings from PETA’s undercover investigation of the world's largest privately owned alpaca farm in Peru, Mallkini, at which… -
Thursday, 13 August 2020Prada Group bans kangaroo leather
MILAN - The Prada Group, which owns brands including Prada and Miu Miu, has confirmed that it has banned the use of kangaroo skin in all future products and collections. The move was welcomed by animal rights group PETA which urged the company to… -
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Cambodia re-strategises after EBA suspension
PHNOM PENH – Stakeholders in Cambodia’s garment manufacturing industry are fearful that Prime Minister Hun Sen’s reluctance to comply with the European Union recommendations, addressing what it calls “systemic human rights violations” in the… -
Wednesday, 12 August 2020Organic cotton harvest second largest on record
LUBBOCK - Organic cotton production in 2018/19 increased 31 per cent on the previous season to achieve the second largest harvest on record, according to the Textile Exchange’s 2020 Organic Cotton Market Report. The report reveals that 222,134… -
Wednesday, 12 August 2020New South Wales “not ready” for mulesing ban
NEW SOUTH WALES – A parliamentary inquiry in New South Wales has heard that the wool industry is not ready for mulesing to be banned in 2022, as could be the case with proposed new legislative changes that is also pushing for pain relief to be… -
Wednesday, 12 August 2020MacArthur Foundation launches ‘circular toolkit’
COWES – The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has launched a new Circular Design Toolkit, which pools online resources to support textile manufacturers reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Via a dedicated platform, users can gain access to… -
Tuesday, 11 August 2020Cambodian protestors warned against future demonstrations
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s Justice Ministry has warned that activists which defy a ban on holding protests to demand the release of prominent union leader Rong Chhun could face a similar fate, after protestors clashed with police outside of Phnom… -
Tuesday, 11 August 2020Authorities issue subpoena against Los Angeles Apparel
LOS ANGELES – Authorities in LA have issued a subpoena to garment manufacturing site Los Angeles Apparel regarding its pay and sick leave policies, after the factory became a hotbed for COVID-19 with more than 300 cases registered amongst staff,… -
Tuesday, 11 August 2020Brands 'will struggle to replace Xinjiang cotton'
WASHINGTON DC - Efforts to persuade brands and retailers to sever their links with the Xinjiang region of China over the use of forced labour in the cotton industry will struggle because of the lack of sufficient alternative supplies, according to a… -
Tuesday, 11 August 2020Aid by Trade kick-starts three-year water project
ADDIS ABABA – The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), which delivers Cotton Made in Africa (CMiA), is spearheading a new three-year project in Ethiopia which will address water pollution through water stewardship innovation and action plans. For this,… -
Monday, 10 August 2020
Cotton Horizons: What’s different about ‘regenerative’?
WAKEFIELD – In the latest installment of Cotton Horizons in Ecotextile News, cotton expert Simon Ferrigno looks for clarity in the field of ‘regenerative cotton’, and speaks with La Rhea Pepper, managing director of Textile Exchange (TE). In Textile… -
Monday, 10 August 2020New study reveals COVID-19 impact on Ethiopia
HAWASSA - Close to half of women garment workers in Ethiopia have lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and virtually none have been able to find alternative employment, according to a new study. The Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)… -
Monday, 10 August 2020Research spotlights key causes of microfibre emissions
DÜBENDORF – Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materias Science and Technology (EMPA) say textile microfibres from synthetic fabrics account for more than one third of microplastics in the ocean, with tests highlighting that… -
Friday, 07 August 2020Union busting: Inditex praised, Bestseller slammed
YANGON - Garment workers' rights campaigners have praised Zara owner Inditex, but criticised Bestseller, after a trade union claimed victory following a two month dispute with a supplier in Myanmar. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) says Inditex was… -
Friday, 07 August 2020Fashion For Good resumes polybag recycling project
LONDON – Global fashion sustainability initiative Fashion For Good (FFG) has announced the resumption of its Polybag Collection Scheme pilot in London, through which UK recycler First Mile will work to drastically improve the city’s infrastructure… -
Friday, 07 August 2020Investors urged to be vigilant in Xinjiang
XINJIANG - The Investor Alliance for Human Rights is urging investors to carry out enhanced due diligence to ensure the brands and retailers they support have no links to human rights abuses in the Xingjiang region of China. An estimated 1.8 million… -
Thursday, 06 August 2020'Dark side' factories threaten post-pandemic reshoring
LEICESTER - British factories which pay workers less than half of the minimum wage could jeopardise attempts by brands to reshore more of their supply chain after the coronavirus pandemic, according to one expert. Leicester's garment factories,… -
Thursday, 06 August 2020New South Wales farmers resist mulesing changes
NEW SOUTH WALES – A group of wool growers in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, say they’ll resist efforts to ban mulesing outright and mandate pain relief for sheep, as they believe it’s counter-intuitive to widely-held animal welfare concerns.… -
Thursday, 06 August 2020China exports to dip, US sourcing survey says
GLOBAL – Researchers at the University of Delaware have conducted a 2020 Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study, with 25 US fashion brand executives alluding to the countries that are set to benefit from a boon in business as the world resurfaces… -
Thursday, 06 August 2020Bangladesh exports rebound to record levels
DHAKA - Global brands and retailers reinstating orders for garments as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease have reportedly triggered a bounce back by Bangladesh's exports to record levels. Shipments of readymade garments were responsible for the… -
Thursday, 06 August 2020
Diesel joins Better Cotton Initiative
GENEVA – Fashion brand Diesel is the latest to join the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), a move which aligns with its sustainability target of ensuring half of the cotton it sources is “more responsible”. In January, the Italian outfit launched its… -
Wednesday, 05 August 2020Textile firm accused of false environmental statements
HENAN - The IPE (Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs) environmental non-profit has accused a Chinese textile company of making false statements about environmental violations. Henan Xinye Textile Co Ltd was one of two case studies… -
Wednesday, 05 August 2020Osprey adopts Hyosung’s ‘sustainable’ nylon
CORTEZ – Osprey, which produces goods for the outdoor industry, has partnered with fibre manufacturer Hyosung to leverage its 100 per cent recycled Mipan regen robic high-tenacity nylon for a new series of Talon/ Tempest baggage solutions. Osprey… -
Wednesday, 05 August 2020Project reveals huge scale of circularity challenge
NEW YORK - The Accelerating Circularity project to speed up the move from a linear to a circular textile industry has published its initial research findings which reveal more than 85 per cent of apparel waste is currently going to landfill or… -
Wednesday, 05 August 2020Scottish firm finds new life for surplus stock
ELGIN – Luxury Scottish cashmere manufacturer Johnstons of Elgin has launched a new collection made from the leftover yarn of previous apparel ranges. Called EveryYarn, the new product line aims to yield new applications for what would otherwise be… -
Tuesday, 04 August 2020
Move from mulesing proves profitable, report says
CANBERRA – A new report makes a compelling case for Australia’s wool growing industry to ditch mulesing in favour of breeding flystrike-resistant sheep, having surveyed 97 native producers who’ve already made the switch and found it to yield greater… -
Tuesday, 04 August 2020Accelerator programme seeks fashion innovators
CAMBRIDGE - A free accelerator programme to fast-track tech innovation for a sustainable fashion industry has been launched by one of the world's leading universities. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is… -
Tuesday, 04 August 2020Patagonia launches regenerative agriculture campaign
VENTURA - US outdoor apparel brand Patagonia has launched a new campaign to promote the benefits of regenerative organic agricultural practices in limiting climate change. The company has created a new range of cotton T-shirts sourced from farms… -
Tuesday, 04 August 202070 teens found locked up at spinning mill
AVINASHI - At least 70 teenagers, aged 15 to 18, have been found locked up at a spinning mill in the town of Avinashi in the Tirupur district of southern India's state of Tamil Nadu. As many as 40 of the teenagers - 37 girls and three boys - told… -
Tuesday, 04 August 2020Indian manufacturers face turbulent year ahead
NEW DELHI – New research by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) paints a concerning picture for garment suppliers in the country in the coming months, as an indicative survey finds that 95 per cent of respondents expect operations… -
Tuesday, 04 August 2020
Cambodia sets out five-year development strategy
PHNOM PENH – The Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has set out a five-year development strategy which it believes will transform the country’s garment footwear and bag trade into a “high-value, supportive, diversified and more… -
Monday, 03 August 2020Improved Higg tool makes impact easier to measure
SAN FRANCISCO – As the textile industry continues to grapple with its impact on the environment, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and Higg Co. have upgraded the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI), a cradle-to-gate scoring tool for… -
Monday, 03 August 2020
Australian wool growers in limbo over mulesing
VICTORIA – An Australian sheep crutcher in the state of Victoria fears some wool farmers might forego mulesing due to the additional costs that’ve stemmed from pain relief administration being mandated. Mulesing, the practice of removing… -
Friday, 31 July 2020Report: “Chemical recycling a distraction at best”
CALIFORNIA – The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), which collaborates with upwards of 600 grassroot groups and NGOs around the world, has published a new report which discredits the potential chemical recycling solutions hold… -
Thursday, 30 July 2020Bangladeshi platform tipped to transform transparency
DHAKA – A new online beta platform borne out of Dhaka, Bangladesh, holds the potential to radically improve transparency in the country’s ready-made garment sector, by mapping the locations and production details of native suppliers. The Mapped in… -
Thursday, 30 July 2020Letter to Indian PM addresses worker concerns
NEW DELHI – A number of leading fashion brands have signed a letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, urging that the government U-turns on proposed labour law changes that could lead factory staff in some states to operate for… -
Wednesday, 29 July 2020China textile giant to make polyester from coal
WUJIANG – In a move that will make many environmental campaigners choke on their food, Jiangsu-based synthetic textile giant Hengli plans to tap China’s abundant coal reserves – instead of oil – to produce polyester yarns. Normally, oil is used as… -
Wednesday, 29 July 2020IDH insurance scheme protects Indian BCI farmers
GENEVA – The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and its strategic partner and funder, the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) have provided respite for more than 175,000 smallerholder farmers in India amidst the coronavirus pandemic, having introduced an… -
Wednesday, 29 July 2020Newscast: Forced labour and fashion in China
WAKEFIELD – We’ve just released episode two of the new series of Ecotextile Talks ‘behind the news’ broadcasts with our journalists John Mowbray, Simon Glover and Simon Ferrigno who give a round-up of the current situation on allegations of forced… -
Monday, 27 July 2020McKinsey challenges brands to address biodiversity
HELSINKI – Market research authority McKinsey & Company has published new guidance for fashion brands and retailers to best address their impact on biodiversity. Titled Biodiversity: The Next Frontier in Sustainable Fashion, the company details… -
Monday, 27 July 2020COVID-19 delays BCI inquiry into Xinjiang cotton
LONDON – An on-going review by the Better Cotton Initiative into its cotton sourcing activities in the Xinjiang region of China has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and won't be published until at least October 2020. The BCI suspended all… -
Monday, 27 July 2020Australian Wool Innovation seeks grower feedback
VICTORIA – Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is calling on wool growers across the country to complete an online survey detailing what they believe to be priorities for a prosperous industry, to better inform the organisation’s Wool 2030 strategic… -
Friday, 24 July 2020Ocean plastics to nearly triple by 2040, MacArthur Foundation warns
COWES – The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has released Breaking the Plastic Wave: A Comprehensive Assessment of Pathways Towards Stopping Ocean Plastic Pollution, which estimates that the volume of plastics in our oceans could almost triple by 2040.… -
Friday, 24 July 2020New Boohoo site in Leicester linked with automation
LEICESTER – Fast fashion brand Boohoo has reportedly acquired a former Vauxhall dealership in the UK city of Leicester, which it will transform into a highly-automated garment factory. It’s said that the Manchester brand bought the site before it… -
Friday, 24 July 2020Seed project launched for organic cotton farmers
MADHYA PRADESH - A new project has been launched to make quality, affordable non-GMO seed accessible to Indian farmers wanting to grow organic cotton. The Organic and Fairtrade Cotton Secretariat (OFCS) and 11 partners across government, the private…
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