#Sustainability

2024-04-18

Textile Exchange releases "The Future of Synthetics" report

In a new report released by Textile Exchange, titled "The Future of Synthetics," the fashion, apparel, and textile industry are called upon to swiftly transition away from new fossil fuel extraction for synthetic materials. The report provides essential guidance for brands seeking to make this critical shift.

Recognizing the urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions associated with synthetic fibers, Textile Exchange's "The Future of Synthetics" stresses the necessity for the industry to halt the introduction of new virgin fossil fuel-derived materials into the supply chain. This strategic move is deemed indispensable to meeting climate targets and mitigating environmental impact.

"At the heart of this report is the advocacy for accelerated interest and investment in technologies facilitating the rapid substitution of fossil fuel-derived synthetics," remarked a spokesperson for Textile Exchange on its website. "By making viable alternatives readily available, the industry can realistically divest, thereby unlocking significant emissions reduction potential."

"With this report, we are advocating for increased interest and investment into the technologies that will facilitate the rapid substitution of fossil fuel-derived synthetics," a spokesperson for Textile Exchange remarked on its website. "A core recognition is that having viable alternatives available will enable the industry to realistically divest, unlocking this critical emissions reduction opportunity."

The report delves into various technologies and infrastructure pivotal to this transition, including textile-to-textile recycling, biosynthetics, and carbon capture. It highlights the dominance of synthetic materials in global fiber production, with polyester alone contributing a staggering amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

While emphasizing the importance of transitioning towards sustainable alternatives, the report also acknowledges the need to balance this shift with considerations for natural ecosystems. It advocates for a dual approach: investing in alternative methods of creating synthetic materials while simultaneously reducing the overall volume of new materials produced.

Mechanical recycling of PET plastic bottles currently stands as the most prevalent alternative to virgin polyester. However, the industry is urged to prioritize scaling textile-to-textile recycling technologies to establish a truly closed-loop system. Additionally, the report explores emerging opportunities in biosynthetics and carbon capture technologies, underscoring their potential to facilitate divestment from fossil fuel extraction.

For access to the full report and key takeaways, please visit :

http://textileexchange.org/app/uploads/2024/04/The-Future-of-Synthetics.pdf

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.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

Textile Exchange unveils agenda for 2026 conference in Vancouver

Textile Exchange has released the agenda for its 2026 Conference, which will take place from October 12–16 in Vancouver, Canada. Under the theme “The Implementation Era,” the event will focus on translating sustainability commitments into practical action and scaling solutions across businesses, supply systems, and landscapes.

Indovinya advances sustainable solutions with agreement for the supply of renewable Oxygen from Air Liquide

Indovinya, the specialty chemicals and surfactants division of Indorama Ventures, has entered into an agreement with Air Liquide — a world leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare — for the supply of renewable oxygen. The agreement represents a strategic advancement in Indovinya’s commitment to sustainability, as it increases the share of renewable raw materials in the production of ethylene oxide, one of its key products.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Europe is committed to recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades

Starting in 2026, Europe’s wind energy industry has committed itself to ensuring that wind turbine blades do not end up in landfills once they reach the end of their service life. The EU-funded research project REWIND is exploring ways to reuse this composite waste. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are one of 13 project partners from seven countries.

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.