Clariant launches eco testing for textile manufacturers
04/10/2012
“With increasing consumer awareness, brands and retailers are under growing pressure to enforce sustainability policies, as well as monitor and measure the environmental impact of their textile dyeing and finishing processes,” said Emrah Esder, head of marketing of textile chemicals at Clariant. “However, a long-time headache has been the difficulty of measuring the overall ecological impact of any textile process.”
The first step of One Way involves selecting products based on eco-standards requirements. Clariant’s database includes more than 200 products, developed and pre-tested against stringent environmental and consumer safety standards including Blue Sign1,OekoTex2, GOTS3, the 11 substances of the Joint Roadmap towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, bioelimination and 20 major Restricted Substances Lists.
Stage two involves short-listing processes based on an environmental focus. Clariant’s dyes and chemicals have been grouped on their environmental focus so manufacturers can choose the group that best fits their focus – for instance, reducing CO2 emissions, savings in water or energy or the reducing amount of waste water generated.
The final stage is selecting the products based on cost and eco-benefits calculations, which are done via a calculation software tool, which is in the final testing phase and will be available by January 2013.
According to Textile Exchange, a non-profit, membership-based organisation, an estimated six million tons of textile chemicals are used each year and 20% of industrial fresh water pollution comes from textile treatment and dyeing. In addition, one trillion kilowatt hours are used every year by the global textile industry, which equates to 10% of global carbon impact.
Clariant says it has a long-term commitment to developing products and application processes that are safer for the consumer, and have less impact on the environment. It is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the Textile Exchange and is a system partner of bluesign.
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