Global fibre production reached a record figure in 2023, but recycled fibres contributed only 7.7% to the total.
Features
2024Archive
04 December 2024
Wrong direction
27 November 2024
Tipping the needle
An increasing number of start-ups are hoping to serve the fashion industry’s growing interest in ‘next-generation’ materials.
20 November 2024
Sweet deal for stretch
With an investment of $1 billion, Hyosung is showing a strong commitment to renewable resources for its elastane offerings.
13 November 2024
New ground
Alongside the release of a second planetary boundary assessment, which monitors its activities as a whole, Houdini is expanding the scope of how it measures the impact of its garments.
06 November 2024
Untangling the second-hand clothing trade
It is well known that shiploads of second-hand clothes are transported from Europe and North America to Africa, Pakistan, Chile and other places.
30 October 2024
Disassembly lines
A research centre is testing and developing automated systems for dismantling textiles and leathergoods.
04 September 2024
Brazil report asks tough questions of Better Cotton
Major clothing companies have questioned sustainability initiative Better Cotton following a critical report from non-profit group Earthsight.
21 August 2024
A solution for a sticky problem
Advances in adhesive technology are opening up new possibilities for recycling athletic shoes.
14 August 2024
Hidden protection for easy riding
Taking a material from the aerospace industry, a “crazy” idea became a viable product in the hands of the textiles masterminds at Tejidos Royo.
31 July 2024
Smart tracks
The emergence of new business models and the likely implementation of digital product passports may require new features and functions that warrant extending the range of traceability technologies.
24 July 2024
No wood to waste
In addition to going into manmade cellulosic fibres, the renewable resource that is pulped wood is also being tapped for other textile industry supplies, including polymers and chemicals, offering a new array...
15 May 2024
Get Down with the Facts
British outdoor brand Rab moves forward with its down recycling programme.
08 May 2024
Performance provides the buzz
Changes to materials and construction are crucial in creating shoes that will provide athletes with performance gains. What this means for sustainability strategies is a separate question.
01 May 2024
Polartec moves up a gear
Cycling brands are among early adopters of bio-based nylon-containing Power Shield, which also incorporates a new construction to make it Polartec’s most waterproof and breathable technology yet.
24 April 2024
Striving for circular stretch
Under Armour and Celanese have unveiled a fresh type of stretch fibre that they say could provide a more easily recyclable alternative to elastane – and they are keen for wider industry adoption.
17 April 2024
The rise of alternative natural fibres
In the wide world of agricultural waste lie many long and strong fibres that can be spun into textile yarns for apparel and accessories.
10 April 2024
Creative chemistry
Cooking oils and fruit stones are among the new raw materials being harnessed to make textile auxiliaries.
03 April 2024
Plastic-eating enzymes
Enzymes, microbes and such can develop the ability to break down any substance they find in their close environment, including plastics. They are now being screened and tailored to depolymerise PET plastics,...
21 March 2024
Family values shine at MarediModa
The Cannes-based show prides itself on offering premium fabrics for the swimwear sector. The longstanding heritage of the exhibitors was reflected in the high-quality and skilful fabric offerings for summer...
05 March 2024
New tech for old values
Vivobarefoot aims to tackle the vast amounts of footwear waste by creating ‘scan-to-print’, locally made custom shoes that wearers could treasure for longer.
21 February 2024
Time for regeneration
Ambercycle looks to have received a game-changing boost in its bid to begin commercial-scale production of regenerated polyester fibres.
14 February 2024
Biotech breakthrough
Spiber’s Brewed Protein is the first purely biotech fibre to be developed on a commercial scale. Fellow Japanese company and long-time partner Goldwin has played a crucial role in bringing the innovative fibre ...
07 February 2024
Chemical recycling scales up
New factories for depolymerising polyester textiles are in the works. Using a variety of ‘advanced’ or molecular recycling processes, they promise to treat textile waste that cannot be mechanically recycled.
31 January 2024
Ocean-bound versus Ocean-found
A new category of recycled synthetics uses material at risk of ending up in the open sea or recycled from debris fished out of the ocean. These two sources constitute, regrettably, a near unlimited supply.