#Sustainability

2025-04-10

Sustainability and due diligence: MEPs agree to delay application of new rules

On Thursday, the European Parliament voted to postpone the application dates for new EU laws on due diligence and sustainability reporting requirements. With 531 votes for, 69 against and 17 abstentions, MEPs supported the Commission proposal, part of wider simplification efforts aimed at strengthening the EU’s competitiveness.

The new due diligence rules require companies to mitigate their negative impact on people and the planet. Member states will have an extra year – until 26 July 2027 – to transpose the rules into national legislation. The one-year extension will also apply to the first wave of businesses to be affected, namely: EU companies with over 5,000 employees and net turnover higher than €1.5 billion, and non-EU companies with a turnover above this threshold in the EU. These companies will only have to apply the rules from 2028. The date of application will be the same for the second wave of companies: those in the EU with over 3,000 employees and net turnover higher than €900 million, and non-EU companies with turnover above that threshold in the EU.

Application of the sustainability reporting directive will also be delayed by two years for the second and third waves of companies covered by the legislation. Large companies with more than 250 employees will be required to report on their social and environmental measures for the first time in 2028 for the previous financial year, while listed small and medium-sized enterprises will have to provide this information one year later.

EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese PET spunbond imports

The European Commission has introduced definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 39.8% to 48.1% on imports of PET spunbond from China. The measures, which entered into force on 31 October 2026, will remain in place for five years and are intended to address unfairly priced imports that have caused injury to European manufacturers. The EU market for these nonwoven materials is valued at approximately €200 million.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Commission clarifies rules on plastic bottles recycling

The European Commission today adopted new rules on recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles made primarily of polyethylene terephthalate (PET bottles). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology to calculate, verify and report chemically recycled content. This is part of the Commission’s December 2025 plastics package.

Inside the Making at Ecomondo 2026: Textile supply chain calls for transparency and measurable sustainability

Transparency, verifiable environmental claims and closer cooperation across the textile value chain were the central themes of the “Inside the Making: The Power of the Process” panel at Ecomondo 2026 in Rimini. Representatives from denim and sportswear manufacturing, textile finishing, digital printing and branding discussed how technological innovation and supply chain collaboration can help companies meet new European regulatory requirements while making sustainability economically viable.

Jeanologia and BCome connect factory data with Life Cycle Assessment and Digital Product Passports

A new white paper by EIM by Jeanologia and BCome demonstrates how primary environmental data from denim finishing processes can be integrated into a garment's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and prepared for use in a Digital Product Passport (DPP). A comparative case study highlights significant improvements at the production stage while also showing how these translate into the environmental performance of the finished garment.

Marks & Spencer expands across Asia Pacific through partnership with Global Fashion Group

Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Global Fashion Group (GFG) have announced a strategic partnership to expand the British retailer's fashion business across Asia Pacific. M&S has launched on Southeast Asian fashion platform ZALORA and plans to enter THE ICONIC in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027. The agreement also introduces regional fulfilment for Australian M&S.com orders, enabling faster deliveries and returns while supporting a capital-light international growth strategy.

Woolmark survey: 82% of consumers prefer natural fibres over synthetics

A new consumer survey commissioned by Woolmark and conducted by Ipsos across five major markets reveals a strong preference for natural fibres over synthetic alternatives. On average, 82% of respondents in the United States, France, Germany, Italy and China said they would choose natural fibres when price, style and fit are equal. The findings coincide with the launch of Woolmark's new global brand platform, “Return to Real”, which highlights the natural performance properties of Merino wool and the growing importance of verified fibre quality.

KARL MAYER introduces MULTIPLY BX for high-efficiency wind turbine reinforcement fabrics

KARL MAYER is expanding its composite machinery portfolio with the new MULTIPLY BX, a biaxial warp knitting machine specifically developed for the production of reinforcement textiles used in wind turbine rotor blades. Designed for high output and efficient material utilisation, the machine achieves production speeds of up to 500 m/h and offers a productivity increase of 20 to 25% compared with the established MAX GLASS ECO. The MULTIPLY BX will make its debut at the KARL MAYER (China) Product Show in Changzhou during ITMA ASIA 2026.

ReSpin founder Åsa Strandberg receives Innovation Champion of the Year 2026 award

Åsa Strandberg, founder and CEO of Swedish textile recycling company ReSpin AB, has been named Innovation Champion of the Year 2026. The award recognises her development of RespinJenny, a patented technology designed to recycle textile waste into new, high-quality fibres without using water, chemicals or additional virgin raw materials. The distinction was presented by the Olle Oscarsson Foundation and Axera Inkubator at Guldgalan in Sweden.