Exclusive Insight
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Aug 10, 2018Bilateral beneficiaries
While the environmental benefits of international second-hand apparel trade may not appeal to a Trump White House, the economic argument could well gain more traction. David Styles speaks to Marjorie Norton, a professor at Virginia Tech University,… Read More -
Jul 30, 2018Blockchain reaction
A term cited in press releases and conference speeches with an ever-increasing frequency over recent months and years, blockchain is one of the textile sectors hottest topics. David Styles explores what this technology means for the industry and… Read More -
Jul 25, 2018Ivanka Trump: An inadvertent ethical fashion champion?
NEW YORK – As Ivanka Trump’s eponymous apparel and jewellery brand has announced its imminent closure, has the daughter and confident of one of the most divisive US presidents in living memory provided much sought-after proof that ethical trading is… Read More -
Jul 09, 2018Could recycled polyester help avert looming environmental crisis?
NEW YORK - As the environmental arm of the UN raises questions about how the western world is coping following China's foreign waste ban, could an increase in the production of recycled PET fibres for use in the garment sector provide the ideal… Read More -
Jun 26, 2018Patagonia to scale-up recommerce efforts
Patagonia is about to enter the next stage of growth for its Worn Wear online store, where it sells its refurbished second-hand gear to keep consumers wearing stuff for longer, reduce consumption and lower the environmental footprint of the clothes… Read More -
Sep 11, 2017Sustainability has wonderful shades
EUROJERSEY is an all-Italian company and a leading manufacturer of a technical patented family of fabrics under the brand name of Sensitive Fabrics, which services the swimwear, ready to wear, activewear and lingerie market sectors. The head offices… Read More -
Apr 12, 2017Planet Textiles to tackle water challenges
The issue of water availability, water conservation in wet processing, wastewater discharge, the circular economy and the rise of environmental awareness in India will dominate this year’s Planet Textiles Summit on sustainability on 24th May at the… Read More -
Oct 24, 2016Due diligence in cotton sourcing Part III – economy and society
After exploring some of the environmental considerations for due diligence in the textile supply chain, here we will now tackle economy and society, and how brands and retailers will need to consider these issues down on the cotton farm. Key areas… Read More -
Oct 14, 2016Due Diligence in cotton sourcing – Part II. The Environment
In the second of this series of advisory articles on due diligence in the cotton textile supply chain, Simon Ferrigno looks at the issue of ecosystems where biodiversity, soils, existing land cover, water resources and overall land value can… Read More -
Sep 23, 2016Risk assessment
Although the development and commercial launch of nanotechnology continues to gather pace, regulation and legislation governing its possible hazardous effects continue to lag seriously behind. The increased consumer demand for durable and functional… Read More -
Aug 01, 2016Where does our old clothing end up?
What happens to the old clothing that customers drop off in stores as part of apparel brand clothing take-back initiatives? Brett Mathews recently found out when he visited the huge textile sorting and recycling plant of German company, Soex, parent… Read More -
Jun 23, 2016SAC agrees on Higg Index transparency roadmap to 2020
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition has launched a new transparency roadmap, which will allow members to roll out previously confidential Higg Index scores to the general public. The move comes as the SAC membership pushes for greater transparency on… Read More -
Jun 10, 2016A problem shared is a problem halved
Phil Patterson says it's not surprising we are witnessing a rise in the pooling of knowledge on textiles and environmental issues from competitors to help individuals accomplish their own goals within their respective organisations. Read More -
Apr 04, 2016New online Textile Standards & Legislation tool
MCL Global and the European Outdoor Group have launched a unique, easy-to-use online resource that details over 70 textile sustainability labels, regulation and standards, in a bid to cut through the confusion surrounding environmental and social… Read More -
Feb 11, 2016Biodegradability: just a load of rubbish?
Phil Patterson casts his eye over claims of biodegradability in textiles and asks if it would be better to adopt a more circular approach where textiles – and the chemicals used to make them – are more durable and infinitely recyclable. Read More -
Jan 08, 2016Did Patagonia make right call on Ovis 21?
Outdoor brand Patagonia recently severed business ties with Argentinian wool supplier, Ovis 21, after PETA released footage of sheep being mistreated at various farms around the world – including at two farms from the Ovis 21 network. While… Read More -
Dec 16, 2015Online tool tracks textile supply chain
The challenges facing apparel businesses as they seek to gather robust, accurate information about their supply chains are addressed in a newly updated online solution that allows the sharing of information between organisations at every stage of… Read More -
Nov 19, 2015Plasma-based textile DWR coating creates new interest
MILAN – Europlasma has developed a new range of low-pressure plasma-applied finishes for durable water and oil repellant high-end functional textiles. Although the new range of DWR finishes are based on fluorochemisty, the company says because the… Read More -
Oct 06, 2015Recycled PET demand to remain solid despite challenges
Cheaper crude oil prices in future could reduce the value of recycled PET, says UK-based consultancy PCI Fibres. Yet the likelihood is that demand for RPET for making recycled polyester yarns will remain strong, as countries look closer at plastic… Read More -
Sep 02, 2015Active chemicals – a regulatory balancing act
As politicians and health leaders call for action to tackle antibiotic resistance and hospital acquired infections, we look at some of the obstacles textile manufacturers face in getting antimicrobial products to market while complying with… Read More -
Jul 30, 2015PM confirms Slavery Act details
LONDON - The UK Modern Slavery Bill was passed in law earlier this year. But how will this new legislation impact the apparel industry? This week UK Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that businesses with a £36 million turnover or above will… Read More -
Jul 22, 2015Fluoro-chemistry cocktail found in outdoor garments
A major international research project has discovered what has been described as a “cocktail of everything from C4 chemistry upwards,” including C8 related contaminants on garments which brands believed had only been treated with C6-based chemistry. Read More -
Jun 10, 2015Polluters should now pay
From an environmental perspective, doing the right thing, or doing the better thing, must also be the most financially rewarding option if the global textile sector is to improve the way it operates. And taxation could be the answer, argues Phil… Read More -
Apr 24, 2015What have we learnt from Rana Plaza?
As we approach the two year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, which killed more than 1100 people – mostly garment workers – Stacey Dove looks at progress made by brands, governments, and new initiatives in the wake of the deadliest garment… Read More -
Mar 27, 2015CSR needs board buy-in to succeed
Lack of senior commitment and engagement to CSR and sustainability performance could hit a company’s bottom line and damage investor confidence. By Pamela Ravasio, head of sustainability with the European Outdoor Group. Read More -
Feb 24, 2015Sustainable cotton in India
India is a major grower of cotton and remains the biggest producer of organic cotton in the world. However, the organic cotton sector is faced by many persistent challenges of which supply chain transparency is perhaps the biggest. Read More -
Jan 27, 2015NGO activism and the progress paradox
Pamela Ravasio, CSR & sustainability manager with the European Outdoor Group, suggests NGOs need to adopt a more pragmatic approach to drive real, long-term change among consumers. The last few years have been intense for our industry in terms of… Read More -
Jan 05, 2015China’s new environmental law: Powerful instrument or paper tiger?
BEIJING – Described as part of China’s "war on pollution" by President Xi Jinping, the revised Environmental Protection Law, implemented 1 January, means that factories now face daily fines for pollution violations. Revised for the first time in 25… Read More -
Dec 18, 2014Sportswear made from sawdust?
Researchers in France claim to be getting closer to the development of polyester and elastane textile fibres derived from between 70 to 100 per cent bio-based materials, such as pine sawdust, almond shells and certain types of grass. The goal of… Read More -
Nov 24, 2014Cheap … but cheerful?
Out in the economic cold for many years, Myanmar is now being promoted among a number of Next Big Thing garment manufacturing sourcing destinations. But are brands heading to Myanmar and other cheap labour destinations for the wrong reasons? Read More -
Nov 05, 2014Photo story: Ethiopian cotton and land grabs
OMO VALLEY – These striking images show before and after pictures in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, where proposed organic cotton projects have been linked with land grabs of virgin uncultivated land, and the removal of populations and human rights… Read More -
Oct 30, 2014The price is right
Only by paying more for our clothing will the negative social and environmental issues caused by the global garment manufacturing industries be addressed, argues Tone Tobiasson, editor of nicefashion.org Read More -
Sep 29, 2014Plasma power
Taiwan textile producer Pepwing says it has developed new plasma technology that can restore finished fabrics back to their original, clean state so they can be used again for different end-uses, which offers both cost and environmental benefits. Read More -
Sep 29, 2014Natural capitalism?
Industry feedback is being sought on a new white paper which examines how the global apparel industry can move towards the mainstream adoption of natural capital accounting. The paper has been launched by the Sustainable Fashion Academy and The… Read More -
Aug 20, 2014Eco-collections: game-changer or gimmick?
Big fashion retailers teaming up with niche eco-labels to launch eco-fashion ranges might make for good PR, but what do such partnerships do to enhance the sustainability agenda? By Roisin Woolnough. Read More -
Aug 12, 2014How much of the high street is using Uzbek cotton?
A report on Uzbek cotton suggests many retailers could be doing much more to guarantee the integrity of their raw materials. The report from the Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN), ranks 49 apparel and home textiles retailers based on their actions… Read More -
Aug 12, 2014Bangladesh Accord: 'laws' that lack bite
Bjoern Fasterling, a professor of law at EDHEC Business School in Lille, France, looks at the legal reach of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety. The Accord on Fire and Building Safety is… Read More
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