Sustainability strategy in the home textiles industry

Environmental pollution, microplastics and high water consumption as well as increasing consumption are buzzwords that hit the textile industry on the topic of sustainability. The production of textiles consumes large amounts of resources, which poses challenges for the textile industry, especially in times of rising prices and supply bottlenecks. For this reason, the home textiles industry has been dealing with the topic of circular economy for more than 10 years in order to save resources and make production and products more sustainable. Materials are not disposed of at the end of a product's life, but are kept in circulation within the framework of sensible recycling and are reused in new products. At the same time, a functioning circular economy reduces the amount of waste and CO2 emissions. Manufacturers of home textiles are consistently pursuing the approach of a genuine circular economy and are focusing on reduction, energy efficiency, reuse and recycling.

Exhibitors present sustainable concepts and innovations

For example, the Spanish manufacturer, Francisco Jover S.A. (Hall 4.1, C14) generates 99 percent of the energy it needs from the photovoltaic system on its roof and recycles 100 percent of its plastic, paper and cardboard waste.

In addition, exhibitors such as Lech Fabrics (Hall 4.1, C91) are introducing high-quality PET fibres to their portfolio. Most fabrics used in the production of furniture are made of polyester. Therefore, according to Lech Fabrics, it is ideal to use plastics from other industries that would end up in the dustbin, or worse, in the forests and oceans. Lech Fabrics is therefore investing in innovation and expanding its portfolio of such products. In the process, the company says it saves 94 per cent water, 60 per cent energy and 32 per cent CO2 emissions in the production of its fibres from PET compared to new production.

The Austrian Lenzing Group is following the path of a holistic approach that encompasses the circular economy and renewable materials. As a producer of wood-based pulps and fibres, Lenzing is at the beginning of the value chain for the production of textiles and nonwoven products. Here, the intensive cooperation of the entire value chain and the traceability of raw materials within the value chain are elementary.

The value chain is attributed great importance in terms of sustainability: it makes it possible to transparently trace the holistic process that is necessary for the manufacture of a product. Through this year's trio of fairs, Heimtextil Summer Special, Techtextil and Texprocess, large parts of the value-added chain will be represented at the Frankfurt Exhibition Centre and provide insights into large sections of the textile industry. At the Heimtextil Conference Sleep & More (Hall 3.0 D41), visitors can look forward to lectures on Wednesday and Thursday on topics such as supply chains, the circular economy and much more.