Materials & Manufacturing
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Thursday, 16 January 2025IKEA owner to invest €1b in recycling projects
LEIDEN - IKEA’s parent company, the Ingka Group has announced plans to invest €1 billion into a series of recycling infrastructure projects that will include schemes for the clothing and home textiles sectors. According to the Ingka Group, the… -
Wednesday, 15 January 2025Loop terminates Korea deal as losses widen
MONTREAL – Loop Industries, which offers technology that can chemically recycle low-grade polyester, has terminated its agreement with a subsidiary of the Korean chemical giant SK Group to deploy Loop’s technology in Asia through several new… -
Wednesday, 15 January 2025Everest Textile Technologies becomes Bluesign member
TREVISO – Italian denim finishing specialist, Everest Textile Technologies has become a system partner of chemical management specialist Bluesign. Bluesign works with its system partners, which include brands, manufacturers and chemical suppliers,… -
Monday, 13 January 2025Spinnova to accelerate production with Siemens deal
JYVÄSKYLÄ - Spinnova has partnered with technology giant Siemens to help accelerate fibre production at Woodspin, its joint venture with pulp manufacturer, Suzano. The deal will see the installation of Siemens Xcelerator automation and software… -
Friday, 10 January 2025Nantong Teijin water conservation recognised
TOKYO – Nantong Teijin, Japanese fibre manufacturer Teijin’s polyester manufacturing and processing company, has been commended for its efforts to conserve water in China's Yangtze River delta region. Nantong Teijin has been recognised by China’s… -
Friday, 10 January 2025Key textile bodies align on climate language
GLOBAL - Influential industry bodies Textile Exchange, Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), Cascale and ZDHC have published a report on aligning their language on climate change. The four organisations, which together make up the Apparel Alliance… -
Thursday, 09 January 2025SBTi backs ShinWon climate targets
SEOUL – Korean apparel manufacturer ShinWon Corporation has had its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company says it aims to reduce its direct (scope 1) and indirect (scope 2)… -
Thursday, 09 January 2025‘Fingerprint’ database to boost textile recycling
MARYLAND - Researchers at the US-based National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new artificial intelligence-based database aimed at increasing textile recycling and reducing waste. According to NIST, many new types of… -
Wednesday, 08 January 2025New CEO for Science Based Targets initiative
LONDON - The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has appointed David Kennedy, the founding chief executive of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC), as its new CEO replacing Luiz Amaral who stood down last summer. SBTi's chief legal… -
Wednesday, 08 January 2025Ambercycle partners with Chinese textile firm
LOS ANGELES - Chinese recycled textile specialist Shenghong Holding has announced a strategic partnership with US materials science company Ambercycle to scale the production of regenerated filament yarns made with the latter's Cycora-branded… -
Tuesday, 07 January 2025Researchers create colour-changing fabric
TEL AVIV – Researchers have developed a fibre that changes colour when exposed to toxic gas. The fibre, developed by a team at the Department of Polymer Materials Engineering at Shenkar College, changes colour from yellow to green when exposed to… -
Tuesday, 07 January 2025Growers urged to join ‘smart cotton’ scheme
MEMPHIS – The US Cotton Trust Protocol has opened its enrolment process for 2025 with signatories also able to apply for the Climate Smart Cotton Program for the upcoming crop year. Created to enable growers to demonstrate their commitment to… -
Friday, 03 January 2025E-textile research claims to hit 'SWEET' spot
SOUTHAMPTON - Scientists claim to have made a breakthrough in the development of wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles) that are both sustainable and biodegradable. Researchers at the University of Southampton and UWE Bristol tested a new… -
Tuesday, 24 December 2024Report raises leather disinformation concerns
NEW YORK – The Collective Fashion Justice NGO has released a report criticising the leather industry for what it describes as social-media-led disinformation campaigns. It also accuses the leather sector of using greenwashing tactics and lobbying… -
Monday, 23 December 2024Ecotextile Talks: a year in podcasts
YORK – The last 12 months have been a memorable time for the Ecotextile Talks team with our podcast hosts joined by a series of industry experts and key decision makers, all discussing the major issues around environmental stewardship in the fashion… -
Monday, 23 December 2024Used clothing traders challenge 'misinformation'
NAIROBI - The Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) trade body is calling on global stakeholders to combat what it calls "misinformation" about the secondhand clothing industry in Africa. MCAK says that the industry employs and clothes… -
Friday, 20 December 2024AbTF optimistic for new standard in India
HAMBURG - The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) has revealed that it expects that the first Indian cotton certified to its new Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS) will soon be on the market. The nonprofit, which also runs the Cotton Made in Africa… -
Thursday, 19 December 2024Delay for Carbios biorecycling plant
CLERMONT-FERRAND - Biotech firm Carbios has postponed the construction of its PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville, France, for between six and nine months. The postponement has been attributed to “delayed funding pending completion of additional… -
Tuesday, 17 December 2024New test for microfibre release during washing
BALTIMORE / BÖNNIGHEIM - Sportswear brand Under Armour, textile testing company Hohenstein and measuring device provider PPT Group have teamed up to publish a standardised test method to determine microfibre release from textiles under simulated… -
Tuesday, 17 December 2024US agencies 'must collaborate on textile waste'
WASHINGTON DC - US government agencies need to work together to tackle the environmental impacts from the growing problem of textile waste, according to a new report from a watchdog. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO), US Congress's… -
Monday, 16 December 2024Fashion industry 'needs radical overhaul'
ZURICH - The fashion industry is facing a reckoning. A new report from Swiss watchdog Public Eye calls for a radical overhaul of the fashion system to create a just and sustainable industry within planetary boundaries. One-Earth Fashion outlines 33… -
Friday, 13 December 2024
Loop Industries to build first European plant
MONTREAL – Loop Industries, which offers technology that can chemically recycle low-grade polyester, has received a €10 million investment boost with the sale of its first technology licence in Europe. The deal with Reed Societe Generale will also… -
Friday, 13 December 2024New bid to reduce impacts in eight countries
SIAM REAP - A new $45 million multi-agency initiative to reduce the environmental impacts of the fashion industry, and also construction, in eight countries has been launched in Cambodia. The six-year 'Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Supply… -
Thursday, 12 December 2024Brands criticised on costing practices
NEWARK - While some global brands and retailers are improving their costing practices, others continue to put financial pressures on suppliers - and could actually be making things worse, according to new research by the Better Buying Institute.… -
Thursday, 12 December 2024Inditex posts Q3 results, invests in UK start-up
ARTEIXO – Zara owner Inditex has announced positive financial results for its third quarter, and the company is now investing in UK biotech start-up Epoch Biodesign which uses enzymes to break down textile waste at room temperature. Inditex’s sales… -
Thursday, 12 December 2024ITMA Asia + CITME expands exhibition space
SINGAPORE – The organisers of next year’s ITMA Asia + CITME exhibition have confirmed the addition of a further 10,000 square metres of hall space, following an unexpected surge in applications. Scheduled to be held at the Singapore Expo from 28th… -
Wednesday, 11 December 2024Female participation dropping in Bangladesh garment sector
DHAKA - Increasing levels of automation in Bangladesh’s garment industry have led to 3% drop of female workers over the last 10 years, according to a new report. The report, ‘Technology Upgradation of the RMG Industries in Bangladesh’, says that… -
Tuesday, 10 December 2024Textile recycling plant uses hydrogen power
LONDON – A commercial-scale, post-consumer polyester recycling plant, billed as the first of its kind, is using zero-emission hydrogen power technology. Provided by sustainable energy solutions company GeoPura, the hydrogen will support the initial… -
Tuesday, 10 December 2024Puma signs multi-year deal for Spinnova fibre
HERZOGENAURACH / JYVÄSKYLÄ – Sportswear giant Puma has signed a multi-year letter of intent (LOI) to source sustainable wood-based fibre from a new production plant being developed by Finnish textile innovator Spinnova and Brazilian cellulosic pulp… -
Tuesday, 10 December 2024Samsara adds nylon 6 enzyme recycling capability
MITCHELL - Australian recycling company Samsara Eco, which works in partnership with athleticwear brand Lululemon, has developed enzymes capable of recycling nylon 6. Building on its existing capabilities to infinitely recycle nylon 6,6 and… -
Monday, 09 December 2024HKRITA competition backs ‘student innovation’
HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has launched its inaugural Open Lab Global Challenge, an international competition to encourage 'young innovators' to develop sustainable solutions for the fashion and… -
Monday, 09 December 2024Organic cotton project extended in Benin
HAMBURG - A project aimed at supporting smallholder cotton farmers in transitioning to organic cultivation to avoid the use of synthetic pesticides in Benin has been extended. Launched three years ago, the €1 million ($1.06m) 'Growing Benin's… -
Monday, 09 December 2024Heat stress days surge across key garment hubs
NEW YORK - Five major production hubs from across the global apparel supply chain have experienced a 42% increase in high heat days over the last two decades, new research suggests. The analysis by the Global Labor Institute, part of Cornell… -
Monday, 09 December 2024Turkey 'to play key role in regenerative cotton'
AYDIN - Turkey could play a significant role in transitioning cotton growing to regenerative agriculture, according to a new report from the CottonConnect social enterprise. CottonConnect has been working on adapting its REEL Regenerative Cotton… -
Friday, 06 December 2024Eurofins launches clean air check for VOC testing
NORTHAMPTON - Chemical management testing company Eurofins has launched a new clean air check service that is designed to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and additional prohibited compounds in textile manufacturers’ emissions. The CleanAir… -
Friday, 06 December 2024Cirql launches compostable foam for footwear
HO CHI MINH CITY – Material science firm Cirql has developed a new compostable and biodegradable foam component for the footwear sector. Cirql Zero is made using a proprietary polymer compound and is manufactured using supercritical foaming (SCF)… -
Thursday, 05 December 2024Milliken awarded EcoVadis ‘gold’ rating
SPARTANBURG – Technical apparel manufacturer Milliken & Company has been awarded a gold rating for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance from global standard EcoVadis for the third consecutive year. The owner of the Polartec outdoor… -
Wednesday, 04 December 2024Land at risk from fashion industry growth, report
RIYADH - The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification has published a new report aimed at raising awareness of the impact of the fashion and textile industry on land and how fibre choices have a major impact on the environment. The… -
Wednesday, 04 December 2024Future Fibres Network to explore wetsuit recycling
LONDON - The Future Fibres Network+ (FFN+), a collaborative effort between UK universities and fashion industry trade bodies, is exploring the potential for the UK’s first wetsuit recycling facility. The neoprene recycling initiative is the latest… -
Wednesday, 04 December 2024Traditional compost methods 'boost soil health'
WASHINGTON DC - Traditional composting practices offer an inexpensive way to promote healthy soil and more productive cotton farming, according to research by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). An ICAC research project, carried out… -
Tuesday, 03 December 2024EU clothing material footprint lower than expected
BRUSSELS - A European Environment Agency analysis of the material footprint of goods and services consumed by European citizens found that clothing and footwear made up just 1% of the overall total. The European Environment Agency (EAA) released an… -
Tuesday, 03 December 2024Increased commitment to forest protection
VANCOUVER - Environmental non-profit Canopy has released its annual Hot Button report, revealing that 71% of rated man-made cellulosic fibre (MMCF) producers have achieved green shirt status or higher. Canopy says that for the first time in the… -
Tuesday, 03 December 2024Teijin invests in and adopts traceability software
TOKYO – Japanese fibre manufacturer Teijin has invested in blockchain traceability specialist Circularise and will adopt its platform. Teijin says the move enables the company to obtain raw materials with a lower environmental impact and will… -
Tuesday, 03 December 2024Recover to open textile recycling plant in Vietnam
ALICANTE - Spanish materials science company Recover has opened a new facility in Vietnam, part of its plan to globally roll-out its textile recycling technology. Scheduled to be operational by early 2025, the new facility will be located in the… -
Tuesday, 03 December 2024Textile growth 'threatens climate goals'
LONDON - The continuing growth of global textile production is incompatible with key climate goals, according to a new report from the Textile Exchange industry body. Entitled 'Reimagining Growth Landscape Analysis', it warns that environmental and… -
Tuesday, 03 December 2024Aditya Birla partners with GIZ on circularity drive
VARANASI - Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) and German development agency GIZ have come together to launch a new set of circularity guidelines for the Indian textile and apparel industry. Entitled ‘Stitching the Circle: A Roadmap for Circular… -
Monday, 02 December 2024LifeLabs unveils ‘bio-based’ thermal control textile
SUNNYVALE - US sustainable textile start-up LifeLabs has developed an ultra-packable and breathable fabric that as well as being made from 97% recycled and bio-based content, uses a nano-metallic coating that uses less than one paper clip worth of… -
Monday, 02 December 2024Collaboration targets sustainable water management
GUIMARÃES - A joint initiative made up of members from Spain’s and Portugal’s textile industry has unveiled a new closed-loop system for treating and reusing textile wastewater. Developed by textile finishing specialist Jeanologia; AITEX, the Spanish… -
Friday, 29 November 2024Cotton Australia 'nightmare' drift warning
SYDNEY – Cotton Australia has issues a warning of a possible "nightmare" spray drift season with incidents already being reported as ongoing wet weather results in an explosion of weeds. Spray drift reports normally begin to filter through in… -
Thursday, 28 November 2024Report urges circular transition for textiles
AMSTERDAM – The Circle Economy Foundation has released a new report which claims to be the first ever in-depth analysis of the textiles sector's transition towards circularity. The Circularity Gap Report Textiles, in collaboration with the H&M…
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