Stepchange Innovations blog covering innovations and issues of the textile industry
The textile industry is facing significant technical challenges as it transitions from a resource-intensive and polluting sector to a circular, sustainable model. Overcoming these hurdles requires advanced recycling technologies, substantial investments, and a shift in consumer habits. With the EU driving stricter sustainability regulations, the industry's ability to innovate and address these complex technical obstacles will be crucial for creating meaningful and lasting change.
The textile industry's environmental impact has worsened due to the rise of synthetic polyester fibers and fast fashion. These fibers are poorly biodegradable, contributing to long-term pollution. In the EU, 12 kg of textile waste per person is generated annually, with most being incinerated or landfilled. To combat this, the EU Commission proposes making producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of textiles and promoting a circular economy. However, large-scale recycling remains in its infancy, facing significant investment and technological challenges.
The main environmental challenges in wool dyeing & finishing are the use of hexavalent chromium in the dyeing process, AOX in anti-felting/ shrink resist finishing and mothproof agents. The alternatives discussed in this article include the use of new generation reactive dyes, plasma treatment and new generations of more environmentally friendly mothproof agents.
Part 2 of this article reviews ionic liquids, a comparably new substance class, for applications in the textile industry. In particular, fibre manufacturing and coloration.
The article reviews and discusses ionic liquids, a comparably new substance class, for the potential applications in the textile industry. This relates to fibre manufacturing and coloration.
Hemp is discussed as a more sustainable alternative to cotton. There are many environmental advantages of hemp compared to cotton. However, the advantages are partly offset by various technical challenges.
A US patent for on demand textiles manufacturing has been granted to the e-commerce giant Amazon. Can it redefine fast-fashion?
Carbon Concrete researchers of Technische Universität Dresden in Germany win the German Future Prize 2016. The new material could possibly replace steel enforced concrete in the construction industry, due to better performance.
In this article we cast light on the progress of the Detox campaign in the textile industry. Detox is an initiative started by the environmental activist organization Greenpeace to eliminate hazardous chemicals from the supply chain of global fashion brands. In part 2 we will look a deeper at the progress of Detox at the fashion brands who have received credit for good progress in Detox: H&M, Benetton and Zara (Inditex).
We cast light on the progress of the Detox campaign in the fashion & textile industry. Detox is an initiative started by Greenpeace to challenge the business practice of global fashion brands who source from suppliers allegedly polluting the environment with hazardous chemicals. Their aim is to eliminate the discharge of hazardous chemicals from the effluents of textile processing factories by the year 2020.
