Australia

In a world-first, textile waste could soon be crushed and pummelled to develop pigments that could be used as colouring polymers.

Seamless, a first of its kind initiative, aims to transform how clothing is made, used and recirculated in Australia to achieve clothing circularity by 2030, has completed its first phase towards delivery of ambitious industry transformation and optimal outcomes for all key stakeholders.

Strategic Plan 2023–2028 is Cotton Australia’s five-year collaborative plan to advance the cotton industry, identify opportunities for improvement that drive progress and create value for all stakeholders.

Deakin University in collaboration with innovation company Xefco has come up with a manufacturing solution that utilises an advanced plasma coating process which is completely water-free, producing no water discharge.

A report—The State of Fashion & Textile Circularity in WA—provides research and recommendations that contribute to the achievement of SDG 12 that pertains to responsible consumption and production.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has launched the ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres that promises to strengthen productivity and competitiveness of the advanced manufacturing sector and place the country at the forefront of a global shift towards functional and sustainable materials.

Lifting the value of products including skins and leather, and ensuring take of kangaroos by professionals is sustainable, will help grow the kangaroo industry.

The Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia (KIAA) is calling out the emotive misinformation by animal activist groups harming the $200 million sector and also highlighting the need for greater awareness around the benefits of managing an overabundant species. texfash.com talks to its President, Ray Borda, to know more.

Major Western brands, under refractory pressure from zealous animal welfare and social welfare groups based in the US, have shunned kangaroo leather. What now begs attention is how the Australian meat/leather industry should grapple with a ban that is bound to have a far-reaching adverse impact. And, what would be conservation's answers?

Studies by the Edith Cowan University (ECU) have found that the use of fit and toned models in tight-fitting clothing used by activewear websites make women feel worse about their looks and they experience lower self-esteem after browsing an activewear website, leading to negative body image.