Bruce Lorange

Kevin Latner , Leather and Hide Council of America (L&HCA) Vice President - Sustainability, presented the preliminary findings of the U.S. cowhide production Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at the recent Economist Impact Sustainability Week summit in London. The event, now in its ninth year, is attended by industry leaders from aroung the world. The L&HCA discussed leather’s sustainability with representatives of companies from Boston Consulting Group to Ford Motor Company. Speaking during a panel discussion on sustainable supply chains, Kevin Latner said: “We were pleased to see that processing of hides, a natural waste material, delivers a low carbon footprint. The new data shows that leather is a renewable, sustainable material and suggests that it is better for the environment than oil-derived synthetics.” “It also shows the challenges and opportunities ahead for the textile industry in pursuit of our shared environmental goals for the planet. The industry needs to publish credible and transparent data to inform discussions, to understand supply chain issues and to enable businesses and consumers to make informed purchase decisions with standard metrics. All materials need to follow best practice in environmental impact assessment.” https://lnkd.in/eY4z_59e #TheEonomist #LeatherSupplyChain #SustainabilityWeek

25

In this conversation, Thomas Poetz discusses the importance of sustainability in the textile industry and the potential of digital technologies to address sustainability challenges. He highlights the significant water consumption and CO2 emissions associated with analog processes and emphasizes the potential for digital processes to reduce water consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 95%. Thomas Poetz, FESPA, FESPA UK Association, FESPA Nederland, Fespa Belgium, FESPA France, FESPA ITALIA Associazione, FESPA ESPAÑA ASOCIACIÓN, FESPA Hrvatska, Magyar Szitanyomók Szövetsége - Federation of Hungarian Screen and Digital Printers -FESPA.hu

4

Monday, April 22 was the 54th occurrence of Earth Day. Now is a great time to reflect on the impact of one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries: Textiles. The textile industry is notorious for significant water consumption, waste, and CO2emissions. This article explores the need for a shift toward sustainability and a circular economy in the printed textile and decorated apparel industries.

6

The Biden administration today came out with what is, to date, the most comprehensive statement from the executive branch around plastics policy. Lot of details in the 83 page report, and a lot of reaction, pro and con, in our story. The most concrete step is probably a call for a federal procurement ban on single-use plastics in government food service operations, events and packaging by 2027. More on the vision side, there's a lot as well, including top Biden environmental policy aides endorsing global goals to reduce production and consumption of virgin plastics.

52

2 Comments

Holly Morris a renowned hand surgeon and medical textile specialist, presents “A Clinical Perspective on Improving Sustainability within Healthcare Textiles” at today’s Emerging Technologies Conference ahead of Tuesday’s Advanced Textiles Association AT Expo in #Anaheim, Calif. A U.K. native currently working in New Zealand, focuses on pediatric and congenital hand differences. She is offering insights on sustainable medical textiles.   This presentation, by one of the authors of the textile guidance given for the UK Green Surgery Report, explains the steps that those working in textile product development and those working in healthcare can take to reduce the textile-related carbon footprint and, in particular, to how medical textile items, such as gowns and drapes can be selected to produce a lower carbon footprint. Attention is also paid to how reusable textiles can be microbiologically decontaminated and laundered in the most economical and ecologically acceptable fashion. The presentation draws attention to the need for willingness to implement already-existing solutions for environmentally acceptable personal protective equipment (PPE) and low carbon-footprint laundry processes for the cleaning and microbiological decontamination of all types of reusable textiles employed within the operating theatre.   #ILoveThisIndustry #AmericanTextiles #WeMakeAmazing #Yarns #Fibers #Fabric #Fashion #Knitting #Weaving #Nonwovens #Apparel #Sustainability #Sourcing #SupplyChain #CutAndSew #Textiles #TechnicalFabrics #IndustrialFabrics #MedicalTextiles #PPE #ATExpo #ATExpo24

46

Big picture trends for #textiles #Manufacturing this year include sustainability and smart textiles (two areas where RI manufacturers are in the lead), reports Janet Preus of Textile Technology Source. Read more at https://lnkd.in/epMFVXw2 #Trends #ManufacturingInnovation #Sustainability #AdvancedMaterials Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network (RITIN) Advanced Textiles Association

5

Stephanie Downs, the founder of UNCAGED Innovations, one of our portfolio companies, has penned a compelling op-ed challenging the conventional view of leather as a 'natural' choice. She introduces innovative alternatives that promise sustainability without sacrificing quality. A must-read for anyone interested in the future of sustainable materials. Dive into her insights and join the conversation on redefining 'natural' in our industries. #SustainableMaterials #Innovation #VentureCapital Read her op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/gUtu4-F6

19

8 Comments

With the signature of the #ExtendedProducerResponsibility (EPR) law in California last week, we couldn’t be more excited about this positive shift towards #sustainabletextile management! 🌿 The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 is a game-changer, making California the first U.S. state to implement a dedicated textile EPR program. This new law requires clothing and textile producers to establish systems for collecting, repairing, and recycling used products, with full compliance expected by 2030. As a start-up providing a one-stop digital ID solution for all after-sales garment services, we see this as a tremendous opportunity to accelerate the #circulareconomy! What’s Happening in the U.S. and the EU? 📚 EPR is an environmental policy approach that shifts the responsibility of a product’s lifecycle to the producer, including design, take-back, recycling, and final disposal. While variations of EPR now have a worldwide presence, the European Union was the first to introduce and implement the legislative tool. Today, France’s system is one of the most comprehensive, banning the destruction of unsold goods. Meanwhile, the Netherlands introduced its own EPR scheme in 2023, covering a broad range of textiles and setting up a registry for compliance reporting. Other countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, are also discussing or implementing similar EPR frameworks to advance textile sustainability. These regulations share a common goal: to shift the responsibility for textile waste from consumers and municipalities to the producers themselves, promoting greater accountability and encouraging more sustainable product designs. However, each region has its unique approach, and many of these have now entered into law. For example: California: Focuses heavily on developing statewide collection systems and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) by 2026. The law’s flexibility allows producers to work together or independently, depending on the specific needs of their brands. France: Requires producers to join a PRO like ReFashion and mandates them to pay eco-modulated fees based on the environmental impact of their products. France also has specific labeling requirements and restrictions on waste management practices for unsold goods. We are so excited! 🙌 For MĀDI, these regulatory shifts are aligned perfectly with our mission to keep textiles out of landfills by empowering brands with our digital ID solution. By providing a single platform to track garments throughout their lifecycle—from sale to resale, repair, or recycling—we enable brands to stay compliant and offer better transparency to consumers. With regulations tightening on both sides of the Atlantic, there’s never been a better time for solutions like ours to support the industry’s transition to a #circular model. We’re so proud to be part of this new chapter and look forward to supporting more brands as they navigate these new requirements, whether they’re in the U.S. or the EU. 💚

5

A new study published by SystemiQ with support from The Recycling Partnership, Eunomia Research & Consulting and Closed Loop Partners presents a blueprint for transforming PET packaging and polyester textiles in the U.S. If current trends continue, PET/polyester consumption could grow 1.5 times by 2040, creating enough non-recycled waste to fill 750,000 garbage trucks annually and driving GHG emissions. The study highlights the potential of proven circular solutions – like reducing avoidable material use, scaling reuse, refill and resale, and expanding mechanical & depolymerization recycling – to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits by 2040. Discover the full report here: https://bit.ly/4eE0dCt #TheRecyclingPartnership #Recycling #CircularEconomy

14

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬♻️ As sustainability-driven regulations like California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707) shape the textile industry's future, brands and manufacturers must adapt to a circular textile future✨ Here are several ways recycling policies – like the Responsible Textile Recovery Act – are expected to reshape the processes and practices within brands and manufacturers. ➡️𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 ➡️𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ➡️𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 California’s SB 707 marks a pivotal shift in the textile industry, driving greater awareness and accountability in product lifecycles. By adopting sustainable practices and meeting evolving regulations, we can build a circular economy that benefits both businesses and the planet. 🌍 Discover how Alchemie Technology is innovating for a sustainable future: https://lnkd.in/efakJYEP #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #TextileRecycling #Innovation #AlchemieTechnology

6

🚨 Don’t Miss This! 🚨 Elizabeth Denly, Vice President, PFAS Initiative Leader & Chemistry Director at TRC, will be sharing her critical insights at Advanced Textiles Expo! Her session, "PFAS & the Textile Industry," is essential for anyone involved in textile manufacturing. 🌟 "Textile manufacturers need to understand how to assess the risks/liabilities associated with the use of PFAS in their processes, and how to manage these risks. With increasing PFAS regulations, reporting requirements, and an upcoming EPA Information Collection Request for textile mills, this industry could be in the spotlight for future PFAS sampling, monitoring, and regulation of wastewater effluent. Join us to learn more about these issues. I am looking forward to hearing directly from industry experts on your specific concerns." This is your opportunity to stay informed and prepare for the future. Don’t miss out! #AdvTextilesExpo #AdvancedTextilesAssociation #CONNECT #DISCOVER #SOURCE #TextileInnovation #PFAS #TextileIndustry #RiskManagement #Sustainability

23

Did You Catch These Big Developments at Nycote? From corporate and product recognition to industry events, Nycote made news in the third quarter. Check out our latest blog post to learn more:

17

IAPD – The Performance Plastics Association "IAPD doesn’t represent all of the market, but it does represent a substantial portion of the market. It has become a place over the years where competitors and partners alike can come together and work towards the betterment of the industry. It is a community that represents the performance plastics industry. The individuals and companies engaged in the association are incredibly passionate about it. They drive the vision and decisions of the organization. IAPD has become the beacon of the distribution channel for performance plastics, both growing and protecting it. Those individuals and companies who are part of IAPD want other individuals and companies in the performance plastics distribution channel who also believe in growing and protecting the industry to be part of this space. It matters. Membership matters to them, engagement matters to them. Membership is not a transaction, it is a commitment."

10

2 Comments

The Sourcing Journal sat down with AFFOA CEO, Alexander (Sasha) Stolyarov to discuss a few of the ways Advanced Functional Fabrics of America supports the US Military with high-tech textiles. "We work with the industry to not only build prototypes, but also to create a manufacturing process that can be used to scale these technologies. We're able to rapidly identify capabilities in the U.S. in terms of who knows how to do what and who could actually develop the materials and manufacturing processes to meet the requirements of the DoD." Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eDq8E7Hf #technology #etextiles #technicaltextiles #scaleup #manufacturing

19

Sustainability can be tricky for plastics in the medical sector. In the August Sustainable Plastics Live, we’ll cover that topic, look at carbon accounting and plastics recycling, plus how to measure microplastics in the environment https://lnkd.in/giPPXDDq

10

3 Comments

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is coming to textiles! 🌿 California has taken a pioneering step by becoming the first state to implement EPR for textiles through the SB-707 Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024. This groundbreaking legislation means that manufacturers, importers, and retailers will now be held responsible for supporting the end-of-life processing of textile products, encouraging more sustainable practices across the industry. This is a significant move towards addressing the growing issue of textile waste and supporting a circular economy for fashion and textiles. At KAPDAA, we're excited to see this shift towards greater accountability and sustainability, aligning with our own mission to reduce waste and make the most out of every piece of fabric. We believe EPR policies like this will push the industry towards innovation, more thoughtful production, and ultimately, a greener future. 🌍 Read more about the act here: https://lnkd.in/eGK3aTnU. What are your thoughts on California leading the way with EPR for textiles? Let's discuss! 👇 #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #TextileRecycling #EPR #KAPDAA #ResponsibleFashion

1

We are featured in Material Innovation Initiative's 2024 Beyond Polyester: 100% Bio-Based Synthetic Fibers report, which details polyester’s environmental and ethical harms, and highlights high performance and ethically sourced next-gen alternatives to polyester like #Bylon. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/d42Dz3iJ Some quick highlights: • Polyester accounts for approximately 54% of all textile raw materials produced annually, with over 63 million tons produced in 2022 alone. • Even though polyester is the most commonly recycled plastic, polyester textiles are still associated with abysmal recycling rates: less than 1% of clothes, of all material mixes, are recycled. Given the high demand for recycled polyester by the fashion industry and other markets, there will not be enough high-quality recycled feedstock to go around if recycling rates and processes do not improve. • The Global Microplastics Initiative has found that microfibers from synthetic textiles comprised 91% of the marine microplastic particles and 92% of the freshwater microplastic particles it tested. These microfibers break down into nanoplastics, which are associated with widespread effects on ecosystems, animals, and human health. We need new materials that can match polyester’s performance, versatility, and scalability using biobased, biodegradable, recyclable, and humane alternatives. Doing so will fill a significant gap in the market, while also contributing to a more sustainable and ethical future. #beyondpolyester #materialinnovation #nextgenmaterials #sustainablefashion #sustainability 

22