Environmental sustainability is of growing importance within the global fibre, textile and apparel industry, and pressures to improve their sustainability credentials have prompted several companies to develop innovative new products and adapt their business strategies. This report provides information on the latest product developments and business developments in relation to environmental sustainability with a particular focus on: business news; denim; dyeing processes; environmentally sustainable finishes; fibres; interior fabrics; mattresses; membranes; performance fabrics; recycling technology; and workwear. Furthermore, the report includes information and insight relating to the following innovative brands, companies and other organisations: Aquafil, Arc'teryx, Archroma, CHT Group, CleanKore, Culp, DuPont Biomaterials, Duvaltex, DyeCoo, Eastman, the European Carpet and Rug Association (ECRA), Freudenberg Performance Materials, Giotex, H&M Foundation, Harrison Spinks, HeiQ, Huntsman Corporation, Infinited Fiber Company, Inter IKEA Group, Itochu, Kyung-In Synthetic Corporation (KISCO), Novetex Textiles, Nylstar, Pulcra Chemicals, Project Plan B, Renewcell, the Royal College of Art's (RCA's) Materials Science Research Centre, Royal DSM (DSM), Rudolf Group, Sateri, Sorona, Sympatex, Tanatex Chemicals, Tangshan Sanyou Group Xingda Chemical Fibre Company (Tangshan Sanyou), The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), The Microfibre Consortium (TMC), The Movement, The Walmart Foundation, University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus (UBC Okanagan), Ventile, and Weekday.
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1. SUMMARY
2. BUSINESS NEWS
Ananas Anam has achieved B Corp Certification
Aquafil has become a network member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Inter IKEA Group and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have entered into a strategic partnership
Kering has published a strategy to support nature conservation and reduce the impact of its operations on biodiversity
Lenzing has been awarded Gold status by EcoVadis for its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Vaude has developed a Repair Index and is using it to evaluate the reparability of its products
Worn Again Technologies has opened a new pilot research and development (R&D) facility in Redcar, UK
3. CARPET
DSM Niaga has developed a carpet made from recycled materials
4. CONTRACT FABRICS
Sunbrella has developed an environmentally sustainable contract upholstery fabric called Sunbrella Assure
5. COTTON
Field to Market and the US Cotton Trust Protocol have formed a partnership to help improve the environmental sustainability of the US cotton industry
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has reported that Better Cotton accounted for 22% of global cotton production during the 2018/19 season
The Better Cotton Initiative Programme (BCI Programme) has been launched in Egypt
The Fairtrade Foundation and Pratibha Syntex are working to develop a breed of nongenetically modified (non-GM) cotton seeds
6. DENIM
Candiani has collaborated with Kings of Indigo on a range of biodegradable stretch denim fabrics
Levi Strauss & Co claims to have developed its most environmentally sustainable jeans ever
7. DYEING PROCESSES
Spinnova and Kemira are collaborating in the development of an environmentally sustainable fibre dyeing process
8. FABRICS
A consortium of UK-based organisations is developing environmentally sustainable water repellent fabrics
Dyntex has developed an ultra-lightweight performance fabric which is biodegradable and an ultra-lightweight performance fabric which is made from bio-based yarn
Lenzing has collaborated with Hyosung in the development of an environmentally sustainable fabric collection
Toray has developed a new version of its Primeflex stretch fabric which contains plant-based materials and polymer derived from plastic waste
9. FASHION COLLECTIONS
Burberry has launched an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible collection of accessories and outerwear
10. FIBRES
Sateri has developed an environmentally sustainable viscose fibre which is made using textile waste and wood pulp
Teijin Frontier has developed an environmentally sustainable conjugate filament yarn with “extra stretchability” called Solotex Eco-Hybrid
11. INSULATION MATERIALS
Freudenberg Performance Materials has launched a new biodegradable padding material as part of its comfortemp Thermal Insulation range
12. PROTECTIVE ACCESSORIES
TBM and Bioworks have collaborated in the development of an environmentally sustainable face mask
13. STANDARDS
Textile Exchange has launched the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS)
14. WORKWEAR
Spinnova and Touchpoint have collaborated in the development of environmentally sustainable workwear
