It ain't fashion, if it ain't sustainable

Updates

Event Preview / RegenTextiles

26 October 2023

2 minutes

Bringing together the entire supply chain, the Regenerative Agriculture and Textiles Summit will demonstrate the need for involvement from all stakeholders whilst addressing key industry challenges and underpinning the value regenerative agriculture has on supporting business operations and hitting climate goals.

RegenTextiles 2023: Four Innovators Make it to Finals of Showcase

The 2023 Innovation Showcase of the forthcoming Regenerative Agriculture and Textiles Summit has four finalists. The two-day Summit gets under way in Washington DC, US on 14 November.

Staff Writer

COP Ahead / Leather Manifesto

26 October 2023

3 minutes

There are currently huge volumes of a natural, readily available versatile hides and skins going unused which could be transformed into sustainable leather, replacing fossil fuel-derived synthetic alternatives, with the additional emissions and impacts those entail.

COP CALL: Leather Organisations Seek Greater Understanding and Integration of Natural Materials

The International Council of Tanners (ICT), along with 28 other leather industry organisations, have reiterated their call on the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to recognise the cyclical, climate efficient nature of natural fibres like leather and reduce unnecessary reliance on fossil-fuel-based materials.

Staff Writer

Functional Textiles / Lenzing Launch

26 October 2023

2 minutes

The protective garments are light, breathable, soft, and comfortable even in extreme heat conditions. Additionally, these fibres have met the definition of “inherently flame retardant and resistant fibres” as specified by the European Man-made Fibers Association (CIRFS).

Lenzing Goes Firefighting with New Protectivewear

The Lenzing Fiber Identification System would now be used for its FR cellulosic fibres, promising traceability, quality assurance, and trust in protective garments.

Staff Writer

Made in India / Bharat Tex 2024

21 October 2023

2 minutes

In 2017, India had organised a similarly-hyped "mega textiles trade fair" in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

India to Host ‘Mega Textiles Event’ in 2024 to Showcase Country’s Capabilities Across Value Chain

The Indian government will hold Bharat Tex 2024 from 26–29 February 2024 in New Delhi as a consolidated and unique platform to position and showcase the country’s textile value chain and also highlight strengths in fashion, traditional crafts and sustainability initiatives.

Staff Writer

Going Circular / UNEP Roadmap

20 October 2023

2 minutes

The three priorities depend on each other and will require significant work. Therefore, the Roadmap breaks this work down into nine building blocks that each stakeholder can focus on, with priority actions for each stakeholder group.

UNEP Releases 7 Annexes to Roadmap for Textiles Sustainability and Circularity

The UNEP report — Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain: A Global Roadmap — published earlier this year has been updated with seven annexes that offer specific advice, key actions, and priorities that stakeholders can adopt to advance the textile sector towards circularity.

Staff Writer

Textile Forensics / Fabrics

20 October 2023

2 minutes

Even after four weeks, the lowest percentage of remaining fibres was 33.4%. This indicates that it is extremely valuable to search for fibre evidence even after a long exposure time.

Research Shows Fabric Evidence Can Survive Underwater for Weeks

Research findings on fibre persistence on fabrics submerged underwater reveal a fairly high tenacity rate, promising to revolutionise forensic sciences.

Staff Writer

Plastic Waste / Emission Control

20 October 2023

3 minutes

The first project will leverage the team’s collective advancements in artificial intelligence to create enzymes that break down plastic and textile waste, and the second will streamline the methods for manufacturing these enzymes at scale.

Protein Evolution, US Agencies to Use AI and Enzymes to Break Down Plastic and Textile Waste

Innovation startup Protein Evolution is collaborating with several US agencies with the overarching goal to reduce emissions from petroleum-based plastic production and the landfilling and incineration of plastic waste.

Staff Writer

Trade Event / MFS AW 25/26

20 October 2023

2 minutes

Encompassing an area of 42,500 sq m distributed across eight areas, the Munich Fabric Start, Keyhouse and The Source events showcase around 1,100 collections for the fashion and apparel industry from exhibitors worldwide.

Munich Fabric Start Reschedules A/W 25/26 to September 2024, Shortens to 2 Days

The flagship Munich Fabric Start, along with Bluezone, Keyhouse and The Source, will now be held in June and September 2024 and in a shortened format.

Staff Writer

Nex-Gen Materials / Sclaing Up

19 October 2023

3 minutes

While existing solutions can significantly help reduce the impact of the industry, the scaling of innovations—in particular in next-generation materials, recycling and processing—is critical to enable a transition towards a net zero industry.

Project Finance Can Unlock $100 billion to Scale up NextGen Material and Processing Innovations: Fashion for Good Report

Innovation platform Fashion for Good has published a report to help unlock the capital needed to scale up sustainable innovation in the textiles industry. The report reviews the different types of capital available to close the funding gap within the commercialisation stage.

Staff Writer

Supply Chains / Smart Flexibility

18 October 2023

2 minutes

IAF, ITC to Unveil Move Towards Full Supply Chain Profitability at World Fashion Convention

The ensuing World Fashion Convention will see the launch of a new initiative from the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and International Trade Centre (ITC) which seeks to boost full supply chain profitability for apparel manufacturers and brands.