#Sustainability

2020-06-25

Gore presents a sustainability framework for its fabrics division

Today, W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced a new sustainability framework for its Gore Fabrics Division which reflects its long-term commitment to protecting people and the planet while prolonging product life and the well-being of people.

“De-carbonisation of our economy is absolutely essential in order to minimize climate change and its dramatic consequences. That’s why we are setting absolute, science-based carbon goals for our GORE-TEX brand and are working towards carbon neutrality by 2050.”

—Ross MacLaine, Sustainability Leader of the Gore Fabrics Division

A key strategic initiative supporting the framework is an absolute and science-based goal to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The sustainability framework is informed by global trends and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and reflects:

A continued effort to maximize the societal value Gore delivers through its operations, supply chains and innovations, and

a commitment to reduce the environmental footprint that Gore’s operations and products have on our planet.

In short, the evolved strategy can be summarized as follows:

Ross MacLaine, Sustainability Team Leader of the Gore Fabrics Division explains: "With our new sustainability framework, we aim to redefine performance beyond technical product features to the benefit of both people and the planet. We will continue to focus our efforts on sustainability led innovations and our initiatives to maximize the societal value we create. Alongside this, there is a continual commitment to work to minimise the environmental impact of our operations and products. We are proud to say that our sustainability framework is aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, meeting the needs of our business, our customers, our industry and ultimately society."

One key strategic initiative of the sustainability framework is to reduce the division’s contribution to climate change. In 2019, the Gore Fabrics Division completed a thorough evaluation of its carbon footprint to understand the size and scope of the division´s climate impact. Using 2016 as a baseline, Gore Fabrics followed a rigorous science-based methodology in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard, to set carbon goals for its GORE-TEX brand to reduce emissions from production and sourced energy (scopes 1 and 2) as well as from product related emissions (scope 3).

“With our unique role as an ingredient brand, we have a clear responsibility to lead by example. As a founding member of OIA’s Climate Action Corps, we are pleased to help create broad, industry wide action.”

—Nora Stowell, Global Sales & Marketing Leader of the Gore Fabrics Division

The Gore Fabrics Division is setting absolute carbon reduction goals across scopes 1, 2 and 3 for its GORE-TEX brand:

By 2030, reduce absolute carbon emissions originating in Gore’s manufacturing sites and offices (scopes 1 & 2) by 60%

By 2030, reduce absolute product related carbon emissions of its GORE-TEX products (scope 3) by 35%

By 2050, working towards carbon neutrality.

These ambitious goals reflect the GORE-TEX brand’s commitment to support the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius.

To achieve these absolute goals, that decouple economic growth from environmental impact, the GORE-TEX brand has defined 3 initial key action areas:

Reduce energy consumption and continue to introduce renewable energy at Gore's manufacturing sites

Optimize product design, balancing durable performance with lower footprint materials while maintaining fitness for use

Working with suppliers to reduce their plants’ emissions, switching from fossil fuel generated energy to renewable energy while increasing efficiency

As a leading voice in the industry, the GORE-TEX brand is a long-standing member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and actively supports its Climate Action Corps which aims to drive collective action to reduce carbon emissions across the outdoor industry.

Find out more about our sustainability framework here:

http://www.gore-tex.com/carbongoals

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

Textile Exchange reports growth in certifications and industry engagement

Textile Exchange has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in certified sites, industry participation and the development of its standards and membership structure. According to the report, more than 100,000 sites worldwide are now certified to Textile Exchange standards, more than three times the number recorded in 2020. Preliminary figures also indicate 12% year-on-year growth across the organization's current standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards.

"Dynamic markets do not only create uncertainty – they also create opportunities."

Volatile markets, increasingly complex materials and growing demands for flexibility are changing the weaving industry. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in technical textiles, filtration, composites and many other specialised applications. Since taking over as Head of DORNIER's Weaving Machines Product Line at the beginning of 2026, Yvonne Schuberth has been helping to shape this development. In this interview with TexData, she explains why process stability and customer proximity remain the foundation of innovation, how digitalisation is transforming weaving mills, and why she believes the future belongs to technologically demanding applications.

Ready for the future: PI Cottex chooses Brückner again for reliable quality and efficiency

PI Cottex, based in Ludhiana in the Indian state of Punjab, has developed into a leading manufacturer of high-quality knitted fabrics in recent years. Thanks to consistent vertical integration, modern pro-duction technologies and a clear focus on quality, the company supplies renowned national and inter-national clothing brands. In this interview, the team at PI Cottex talks to Brückner about its market strategy, future growth plans and its long-standing partnership with the German premium machinery manufacturer.