#Sustainability

2021-04-29

Birla Cellulose wins innovative & sustainable supply chain award by UN Global Compact Network India

Birla Cellulose, part of the Aditya Birla Group and one of the largest global manmade cellulosic fibre (MMCF) producer, has emerged as a winner in the first edition of the “National Innovative and Sustainable Supply Chain Awards” by UN Global Compact Network India.

The case study presented by the company – Liva Reviva by Birla Cellulose & Fully Traceable Circular Global Fashion Supply Chains – was awarded for innovation in recycled and circular fibre made with pre-consumer fabric waste and end-to-end ‘live’ supply chain transparency and traceability through its unique blockchain-based platform GreenTrack™.

This case study solves two unique challenges: mounting textile waste which is either incinerated or landfilled due to lack of recycling technologies, and lack of transparency / traceability in the scattered, complex and long fashion supply chains.

Mr Dilip Gaur, Business Director of Birla Cellulose and Managing Director, Grasim Industries said, “We are proud to be recognised for our innovative Next Generation solution for upcycling the textile waste, reducing the pressure on virgin materials and establishing transparency in complex fashion value chain. These efforts are aligned to our prioritized UN SDG goals and dedicated to building circular business models which are based on partnerships that add value to stakeholders, people and planet”.

Ms Shabnam Siddiqui, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network India said, “the first edition of the awards witnessed outstanding case studies from prestigious organizations with notable contributions to adoption and implementation of innovative and sustainable supply chain practices in their organizations. We congratulate Birla Cellulose for their pioneering work done in accelerating circularity and transparency in the supply chain in a short time, which are high priority UN Sustainable Development Goals”.

Birla Cellulose has achieved a path breaking innovation in manufacturing viscose fibre “Liva Reviva” using 20% pre-consumer cotton fabric waste following the principles of circular economy. This innovation has the distinction of Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and portrays Birla Cellulose's commitment to developing NextGen solutions.

Through its pioneering platform GreenTrack™ based on blockchain technology, Birla Cellulose along with their value chain partners tracks material flow real time in the supply chain of fibre, from certified forests to the end consumers. Through simple scan of QR code end-to-end sustainability journey is visible to consumers and helps them make an informed purchase decision.

Since the launch in 2020, multiple global brands have added Liva Reviva to their sourcing basket as they take decisive steps towards circular economy. Our close-knit partnerships across the global value chains helped us to establish ‘viable reverse logistics’ and created higher value for textile waste for small scale waste recyclers.

Birla Cellulose is prioritizing the increased use of alternate feedstock like textile waste and is committed to accelerate innovations that are aligned with UN SDGs 2030.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

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.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.