#Sustainability

2020-11-19

Creating sustainable value, from plantation to fashion

Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) has released its inaugural Sustainability Progress Report covering the first 18 months of its operations from January 2019 to June 2020. Formally inaugurated by Indonesia President Joko Widodo in February 2020, APR is a vertically integrated operation from renewable fibre plantations to high-value textile manufacturing facilities, located in in Riau, Sumatra.

APR’s effort to report on its sustainability performance underscores the company’s commitment to responsible viscose production. The report, themed ‘Creating Sustainable Value, From Plantation to Fashion’, details APR’s sustainability efforts which are focussed on clean manufacturing, sustainable sourcing, and initiatives in support of employees and communities.

Basrie Kamba, APR Director, said: “In our first 18 months of business, we focussed on laying a strong foundation by embedding sustainability in the way we operate – whether as a manufacturer, an employer, a member of the local community or a global corporate citizen. Our operations are guided by our sustainability policy. We sought to actively monitor our performance so as to develop a baseline from which to improve on, and to benchmark ourselves against industry peers, with the aim to be a top quartile viscose producer.”

Manufacturing Excellence

Notably, APR has attained a string of certifications relating to manufacturing, sourcing and product. It is the first viscose manufacturer in Indonesia to receive the internationally recognised STeP by OEKO-TEX certification. APR’s products carries the labels of OEKO-TEX Standard 100, USDA Biobased, MADE in GREEN by OEKO-TEX, Medically “Tested-Tested for Toxins” by FKT. It obtained ISO 9001 for quality management and 14001 for environmental management systems, and OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety management systems. Its PEFC Chain of Custody certification confirms sourcing from 100% certified dissolving wood pulp.

Further, in September 2020, APR updated its sustainability policy, strengthening its clean manufacturing commitment to the ZDHC Roadmap and adopting a time-bound roadmap to meet the emissions and consumption levels set out in EU BAT.

Contributing to Indonesia & Local Communities

As Indonesia’s leading integrated viscose producer, APR contributes to the transformation of the country’s textile industry, supporting the realisation of Indonesia’s ‘Industry 4.0’ vision. APR actively partners local fashion stakeholders to promote viscose as an enabler for sustainable fashion and launched “Everything Indonesia” as a catalyst to revitalise Indonesia as a global centre for textile manufacturing. The company’s blockchain-based ‘Follow Our Fibre’ platform provides transparency and traceability of its viscose from seed to bale.

APR has also been in active engagement with its community stakeholders with programmes aimed at improving rural education standards and empowering livelihoods of women. In response to the COVID-19 health pandemic, the company provided 15,000 PPE gowns, 150,000 medical face masks and pairs of surgical gloves to Riau’s COVID-19 taskforce. It distributed 11,000 household packages to impacted communities in 176 villages across Pelalawan and 165 hygiene kits to maternal and child health centres. APR produced 88,000 fabric masks and distributed them to employees, their families and households in surrounding communities.

“It has been our great pleasure to work with APR on its first sustainability report. As a new player in the man-made cellulosic fibre industry, APR has an opportunity to bring innovation and solutions that can help shape a more sustainable textile and apparel industry. The transparency and accountability that sustainability reporting brings is incredibly important for APR to build trust and engage stakeholders in its sustainability efforts, as well as to continuously improve

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

Denim moves towards sustainability

EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement), the global reference platform for measuring the environmental impact of garment finishing, presents the second edition of its annual report Denim Industry Progress & Insights 2025. The study analyses over 100,000 real denim finishing processes, providing an accurate and up-to-date view of the industry’s evolution towards more sustainable models.

Europe’s textile future at a turning point: New 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to scale recycling and unlock investment opportunities

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection. In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy.

ANDRITZ at INDEX ’26: Driving sustainability with next-generation nonwoven technologies

From May 19-22, ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile is presenting its innovative solutions for the nonwoven & textile industry in Geneva, Switzerland. ANDRITZ will focus on technologies for sustainable and durable nonwovens, converting, sustainable fiber processes, textile recycling, and life-cycle services on booth 2114 in hall 02.

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

From 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will gather in Geneva at Palexpo for INDEX™26. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how the future of technical materials will increasingly be shaped by collaborative supply chains and integrated innovation across the nonwovens industry. This year’s edition focuses not only on individual technological advances, but also on how cooperation throughout the value chain can enhance the performance, sustainability and value of nonwoven solutions.

The LYCRA Company launches LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens, advancing comfort and fit in disposable hygiene at INDEX™ 26

The LYCRA Company, a leader in innovative and sustainable fibers for apparel and personal care, today announced the official global launch of LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens at INDEX™ 26, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19–22. This breakthrough stretch fiber, already trusted by leading global apparel brands, now ushers in a new era of comfort, fit, and performance for baby diapers, disposable hygiene products, adult incontinence, and feminine care.