United States

University of Arkansas chemical engineering researchers have successfully developed a groundbreaking environmental remediation method that transforms lignin, an abundant waste byproduct generated by the global pulp and paper industry, into a highly effective solution for removing toxic azo dyes from contaminated textile wastewater systems with remarkable laboratory-tested effectiveness rates.

Natural Fiber Welding’s dramatic collapse has rattled the fashion and automotive sectors that once celebrated it as a sustainability pioneer. Its failure reflects not only management missteps but also a deeper structural malaise: investors retreating, brands shirking responsibility, and an industry addicted to storytelling while refusing to absorb the real costs of transition.

The US National Cotton Council has released survey findings showing widespread consumer confusion about microplastic pollution sources, particularly regarding synthetic clothing's contribution to environmental and health risks. Research reveals significant barriers preventing consumer action, including unclear guidance and uncertainty about effective solutions for reducing personal microplastic exposure.

The US Cotton Trust Protocol has introduced a Field Partner Programme pilot designed to provide brands and retailers with traceable regenerative cotton. Beginning with the 2025 crop year, the initiative establishes a framework combining practices and outcomes, supporting sustainability goals, while creating clear supply chain pathways. It aligns with the Trust Protocol’s wider commitments to verification, transparency, and continuous improvement.

India has temporarily suspended its 11% cotton import duty, signalling readiness to address United States trade concerns while easing pressure on its garment sector. The exemption, effective until 30 September, is designed to stabilise cotton supplies, support exporters, and cool domestic textile costs ahead of the country’s crucial festival-driven demand season.

Researchers at North Carolina State University have unveiled a potential alternative to formaldehyde and PFAS in cotton finishing, using epoxidised cottonseed oil. Presented at the American Chemical Society’s Fall 2025 meeting, the work highlights a promising green process to create wrinkle-resistant, water-repellent fabrics without harmful chemicals, potentially transforming cotton finishing and reducing environmental and health risks associated with traditional treatments.

Commercial printing has operated the same way for decades, but a partnership between three Colorado companies, led by Living Ink Technologies, announced claims to have achieved something unprecedented: successfully replacing petroleum-based carbon black with algae waste in full four-colour commercial printing. The breakthrough represents the first time bio-based pigment has proven viable for high-volume CMYK applications.

A Georgia Tech-led study has uncovered how yarn tension and thickness influence directional stiffness in industrial knitted fabrics. By analysing jamming mechanics, the research points to stitch topology as a route to elasticity without synthetics, potentially supporting sustainable manufacturing across advanced textiles, wearable electronics, and soft robotics.

A new ten-year report from Better Cotton maps the evolution of cotton farming practices in the United States using producer-reported data. The report identifies regional contrasts and commonalities in areas such as soil health, biodiversity, irrigation, and pest management across the Southeast, Mid-South, Southwest, and Far West cotton regions.

US fashion companies are restructuring sourcing strategies as 2025 tariffs trigger cost spikes, disrupted supply chains and declining margins. The latest USFIA Benchmarking Study has tracked these shifts, revealing a turbulent sourcing landscape and limited reshoring despite government pressure. Companies are bracing up for sustained uncertainty by expanding supplier networks, scaling back investment, and reassessing risk exposure across global operations.