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  • GMT

Archroma and Prosperity target denim innovation

Specialty chemicals supplier Archroma has partnered with denim manufacturer Prosperity Textile to develop fabrics with improved durability, appearance and performance, with sustainability among their stated priorities.

The companies will develop, evaluate and implement new approaches, but have not specified technologies, environmental targets or a timetable for bringing products to market.

“An innovation only matters once it reaches the market,” said Jordi Calucho, Super Systems Denim Director at Archroma.

Calucho said the collaboration would involve shaping, testing and scaling innovations, while Prosperity highlighted its smart factory infrastructure as supporting rapid development and production.

Prosperity operates manufacturing bases in China and Vietnam, with annual production capacity of nearly 100 million yards. It also has design and research centres in Belgium, Italy and China.

The announcement does not quantify potential environmental improvements or explain how the partners will assess sustainability alongside fabric performance as they move from development to commercial production

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  • GMT

GRI urges EU to recognise global reporting

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has called on EFRAG to let non-EU companies use existing sustainability disclosures to comply with proposed EU impact-reporting rules.

In its response to the consultation on draft ESRS-40a, GRI says assured GRI reporting should count towards compliance, reducing duplication for companies with significant EU activities.

GRI says its Standards cover 97% of ESRS-40a disclosure requirements, in whole or part, and 79% of data points. Most likely in-scope companies already report using GRI, including 84% in China and 77% in Japan.

The draft standard, open for consultation until 31st October, covers impacts on people and the environment and would apply from financial years starting on or after 1st January 2028.

GRI CEO Robin Hodess said: “Let’s ensure that ESRS-40a strengthens corporate transparency in ways that are practical and effective.”

Susanne Stormer, chair of GRI’s Global Sustainability Standards Board, said recognising assured GRI disclosures would “turn this interoperability into practice”.

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  • GMT

Shein launches Spanish cooperative logistics

Shein has launched its Cooperative Logistics service in Spain, the first European market where the offering is operational.

The service gives sellers on Shein’s Marketplace access to a network of logistics providers and transport options based on destination and route.

Initial partners include GLS, FedEx and CTT. Sellers can book shipments online or offline, depending on the carrier.

The service covers routes between Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal. Shein says it will extend Cooperative Logistics progressively to Marketplace sellers in other European countries.

The company says the tool is intended to simplify cross-border shipment management and help sellers reach additional European markets.

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  • GMT

California textile EPR enters rulemaking phase

American Circular Textiles (AMCIRC) has released its second implementation briefing on California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707), the first US extended producer responsibility law for textiles.

Landbell USA, selected by CalRecycle in February as the programme’s producer responsibility organisation, continues producer registration after the 1st July 2026 deadline. The fee is $1,000 for 2026-27, with unregistered producers facing fines of up to $10,000 daily.

CalRecycle is holding informal workshops through spring 2027, with the next on 12th November. Formal rulemaking is expected in mid-2027; regulations cannot take effect before July 2028.

A court denied the American Apparel and Footwear Association’s preliminary injunction against Landbell’s selection on 17th September. A hearing is scheduled for 12th March 2027.

“CalRecycle's informal workshops are where the details of SB 707 will take shape. The whole textile value chain needs to be in that room,” said Rachel Kibbe, founder and chief executive of AMCIRC.

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  • GMT

Cotton Brazil promotes natural fibres in Istanbul

Cotton Brazil used the International Cotton Association’s Trade Event Istanbul 2026 to promote natural fibres and press for international action on microplastics.

The delegation, representing Abrapa, ANEA and ApexBrasil, presented the “Hanging by a Thread” movement, which highlights microplastics released by synthetic clothing and encourages natural-fibre use where technically appropriate.

“The goal is not to eliminate synthetic fibers, but to encourage debate and promote more conscious choices,” said Gustavo Piccoli, president of the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association.

Fernando Rati, head of business and international relations at Abrapa, said cooperation with producers including the US and Australia was important “through joint initiatives”.

Brazil also hosted a luncheon ahead of the 14th–15th October event, discussing crop results, sustainability and export strategy. The Cotton Brazil delegation said ICA will meet in São Paulo in 2027.

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  • GMT

One in five Swedes expect low-use clothing purchases

One in five Swedes has bought clothing in the past three months despite expecting to wear it only a few times, according to research by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation with Beteendelabbet and Verian.

The survey of 1,061 people aged 18 to 84 found nearly four in 10 buy newly produced garments at least every three months. Researchers estimated the low-use purchases represent around one million adults.

Party and celebration outfits were the most common reason, cited by 46% of those making such purchases. Among younger respondents, the share rose to 66%.

“Sometimes it is actually possible to talk about single-use garments,” said Beatrice Rindevall, chair of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.

The organisation said low prices, rapid trend cycles and social-media “purchase triggers” encourage impulsive buying. It called for stricter regulation of what it described as unsustainable fast-fashion business models.

“Today’s clothing industry with fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion exploits the fact that we find it difficult to resist purchase impulses in the moment,” Rindevall said.

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  • GMT

Selected launches garments featuring Circ’s lyocell

Selected is introducing its first garments featuring Circ lyocell, using fibre containing 30% pulp recovered from cotton-polyester textile waste.

The limited-edition women's shirt and trousers use 100% lyocell fibre, rather than 100% recycled content, according to the brand's announcement.

Birla Cellulose produced the fibre, with Arvind manufacturing the fabric following a year of supply chain collaboration.

Circ's technology separates cotton and polyester blends, recovering the cotton component as feedstock for regenerated cellulose fibres.

“There is still a long way to go when it comes to scaling new fibre technologies,” said Louise Lund, sustainability and sourcing manager at Selected.

The launch forms part of Circ's Fiber Club initiative, which pools demand to help brands adopt recycled materials.

Selected said the garments would reach European stores and online channels from October 2026.

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  • GMT

Cotton summit examines sustainability challenges

Cotton Incorporated brought textile industry stakeholders together to examine sustainability measurement, regenerative agriculture and microplastics at a summit addressing cotton’s environmental challenges.

Held at the end of last month, the event explored how regulations, traceability expectations and circularity initiatives influence sourcing and material choices across the textile and apparel industry.

Discussions covered science-based environmental impact assessment, agricultural research and climate resilience, alongside the role of natural fibres in tackling plastic pollution.

“Our focus is on connecting science, research and industry expertise to support informed decisions, advance innovation and strengthen cotton's role in the future of textiles," said president and CEO William Kimbrell.

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  • GMT

EU and Mercosur launch textile dialogue

EURATEX, ABIT and FITA have launched the EU–Mercosur Textile and Apparel Dialogue to strengthen cooperation between the two regions’ textile and clothing industries.

The platform will support implementation of the EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, focusing on reciprocal market access, resilient value chains and sustainable growth.

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  • GMT

Chinese group joins €30 million Portugal spinning venture

A consortium of Portuguese textile firms and China’s Kingdom Holdings is establishing Portugal’s first industrial wet-spinning plant for flax and hemp, in a project worth about €30 million ($35m).

The facility, Nafilux by Nau Verde, is in Rebordões, Santo Tirso, and has begun initial operations. It is expected to create about 250 jobs.

The venture brings together Calvelex, Mundifios, Paulo de Oliveira and Riopele with Kingdom Holdings, a major producer of flax and hemp yarn.

The mill occupies a refurbished former industrial building of about 15,000 square metres. It forms part of the Lusitano Project, supported by Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The project aims to return flax and hemp spinning to Europe, where much raw fibre is currently processed in Asia before being reimported as yarn.

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