A world-leading provider of wood-based specialty fibers for the global textile and nonwoven industries, Lenzing Group has joined the chemical industry’s sustainable supply chain initiative, Together for Sustainability (TfS). Together with Lenzing, numerous internationally active chemical companies have joined the initiative. Their common goal is to make the global supply chains of the chemical industry sustainable.

The global TfS initiative follows the principles of the UN Global Compact and Responsible Care. The Lenzing Group stands for ecologically responsible production of specialty fibers made from the renewable raw material wood. As an innovation leader, Lenzing is a partner of global textile and nonwoven manufacturers and drives many new technological developments.

The Lenzing Group’s high-quality fibers form the basis for a variety of textile applications ranging from elegant clothing to versatile denims and high-performance sports clothing. Due to their consistent high quality, their biodegradability and compostability Lenzing fibers are also highly suitable for hygiene products and agricultural applications.

Karl Mayer Rotal, the site with the Karl Mayer Group's denim center of excellence, has sold its first Greendye machine to Taiwanese manufacturer Nein Hsing

The machine ensures two times cleaner and three times more efficient indigo dyeing than with the processes of conventional equipment. It uses the nitrogen (NOX) technology to control the chemical dyeing process. The nitrogen atmosphere in the technology temporarily prevents the necessary oxidation of the indigo dye. Further advantages result from the design of the dyeing vats. A high-flow, low-speed indigo circulation system and a design that avoids turbulence and surface foaming significantly reduce chemical consumption. A saving of up to 50 per cent of hydrosulphite and caustic soda – the main environmental polluters of the process - and thus a halving of the gray water footprint is possible.

A reduction of 50 per cent is also possible in the final washing water consumption. Thanks to the NOX reactor, the Greendye system requires only three dyeing baths instead of nine - like conventional systems - to achieve the same indigo dye shade, with correspondingly lower water consumption. In addition, the washing process is more economical due to the higher fixation of the indigo dye on the fiber.

Fewer dyeing baths also mean shorter dyeing sections. The reduction of daily water and chemical consumption as well as waste water and yarn waste optimizes not only the environmental balance but also the production cost in indigo dyeing. In addition, the operating costs are extremely low. Compared to traditional indigo dyeing systems, the Greendye system requires less space due to its shorter design, less maintenance, less time for operation and less spare parts for the same output.

ICRA had upgraded its long-term rating on the bank facilities of the Cantabil Retail India to ‘[ICRA] A- (Stable)’ from ‘[ICRA] BBB+.’ The credit rating agency has also revised the short term rating to "[ICRA] A2+ from "[ICRA] A2.

Vijay Bansal, (Chairman & Managing Director) of Cantabil Retail India, says, the company has been consistent in paying all the dues and interests on time. It has also repaid entire long term loan as of 31stMarch 2022 and are a debt free company now.

Cantabil Retail India is engaged in the designing, manufacturing, branding and retailing of apparel and apparel accessories for men, ladies and children in the middle to high income segment through a pan-India network of exclusive brand outlets under the brand names ‘Cantabil,’ ‘Kaneston,’ ‘Crozo'’ and ‘Lil Potatoes.’

The company's net profit rose 11.54 per cent to Rs 8.12 crore on a 43.59 per cent increase in sales to Rs 133.29 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q4 FY21.

H&M Group’s net sales in local currencies increased by 12 percent in Q2 FY’22 spanning March 01, 2022 to May 31, 2022, compared with the corresponding period last year. A family of brands and businesses, the H&M Group is driven by the desire to make great design available to everyone, in a more sustainable way. It offers fashion, design and services that inspire and enable people to express their style while making it easier to live more circular.

The group’s brands have their own unique identity, and complement each other well. Together they offer a great variety of styles and trends within fashion and accessories, beauty and sportswear as well as interiors. While increasing the share of recycled or other more sustainably sourced materials, its brands also offerseveral services to make a sustainable lifestyle accessible to more people.

Nine international delegates participated in the first Cotton Classing and Testing Training Course held since 2019.

The six-day program in Bremen, Germany, was held from May 10 – 17, 2022. It was organized by ICA Bremen and the Bremen Fibre Institute (FIBRE). The training concentrated on quality issues in raw cotton. Delegates completed training in the ICA Bremen laboratory with KarstenFroese, ICA Bremen demonstrating the manual testing area. Bill Kingdon, Managing Director, ICA Bremen believes, the course is an excellent opportunity for cotton professionals to learn about classing and testing from industry experts and paves the way for quality training.

The training incorporated a wide range of modules - from the classification of cotton from various growths to practical HVI training on the latest Uster 1000 and Premier ART2 machines. It also included a welcome meal and a farewell meal allowing delegates the perfect opportunity to network with their fellow delegates. The next ‘Cotton Classing & Testing’ training programwill be held in 2023.

Swiss IP innovator and established global brand in materials and textile innovation, HeiQ and Certified Benefit Corporation Patagonia, have jointly launched a new odor control technology for textiles. Known as HeiQ Fresh MNT, the technology is renewably sourced and derived from mint oil.

The latest addition to the HeiQ Fresh family of sustainable odor management technologies, HeiQ Fresh MNT complements the company’s mineral-based HeiQ Fresh HAX and the bio-based HeiQ Fresh FFL. The technology provides fabrics with a long-lasting odour control capability that keeps garments smelling fresh and wearers feeling clean and comfortable all day long. Based on test method ISO17299-3A using isovaleric acid, treated synthetic fibres more than double the odour control efficiency versus current industry standards.

Carlo Centoze, Co Founder and CEO, HeiQsays,HeiQ Fresh MNT is further confirmation of our dedication to enhance people’s lives with sustainable innovation. The technology allows you to wash less, saving water, detergent, energy, microfibre and prolong the life of garments. Laura Hoch, Material Innovation Engineer, Patagonia, adds, not only does HeiQ Fresh MNT keep garments fresh in a sustainable way, it performs even better than what we currently use.

On the occasion of the 102nd edition of PittiUomo, Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei, an international reference in men's formalwear and the world's only producer of the precious and sustainable Bemberg™, is teaming up with MagnoLab, a network of Biella-based companies, to create and display T-shirts combining environmental responsibility and aesthetic research. The contemporary cut T-shirts are being developed from sheer and other certified fiber blends including GOTS cottons and RWS wools.

The project conceived for PittiUomo 102 stems from the spirit of Bemberg™ and fits perfectly into the philosophy of MagnoLab, who aims to develop projects related to environmental responsibility through a joint and participatory approach of partners, and to create value by developing innovative products and processes with rapid testing cycles, according to a lean management model.

The new Bemberg™ x MagnoLab product range will be available to the market from June 14th, the first day of the 102nd edition of PittiUomo.

US’ denim imports from Bangladesh increased by 51 per cent to $248 million from January to April 2022, shows data from Commerce Department’s Office of Textiles & Apparel (OTEXA).

As per a Textile Today report, the OTEXA data shows, US’ overall denim imports from Bangladesh grew by 0.84 per cent Y-o-Y to $1.25 billion during the January to April 2022 period.

Denim imports from Pakistan grew by 72.48 per cent to $152 million while from Vietnam grew by 40.94 per cent to $137.37 million worth of denim. Imports from China rose by 20.23 per cent to $110.64 million.

In terms of growth, Egypt performed remarkably as it noted 126 per cent growth in its denim export to the US and earned $71.70 million in January to April 2022.

As per the latest report by Research and Markets, worldwide denim market is expected to grow by $76.1 billion till 2026 from $57.3 billion in 2020. The market research firm attributed the anticipated success to factors including casualization in the workplace.

American Pima cotton brand Supima has collaborated with TextileGenesis™ to establish the new industry benchmark platform for authenticating cotton.

The Supimablockchain platform powered by TextileGenesis™ will digitally connect Supima’s comprehensive supply chain from the growers to the brand/retailers. Integrated with this digital platform, Supima’s technology partner Oritain™ will provide the forensic origin authentication for Supima cotton across the platform. The ability to independently validate the Supima content of products at every stage of the supply chain achieves unmatched authenticity and responsibility through the combination of forensic physical and digital authentication.

TextileGenesis’ will integrate its Fibercoin™ technology into Supima’s licensing program and apply to all SUPIMA® branded fiber throughout the supply chain, creating a non-fungible digital token for every kilogram of Supima cotton that can be physically and forensically verified and authenticated by Supima from the farm through to the retail shelf. This pioneering effort for cotton sourcing sets a new standard for responsibility in the global textile industry and consumer marketplace. Supima is striving to bring deeper levels of authenticity and responsibility to cotton sourcing with greater support for equity and ubiquity for all partners in the supply chain.

An initiative of the German Federal Government, Siegelklarheit has approved the US Cotton Trust Protocol as a standard for sustainable cotton. Siegelklarheit aims to contribute to more sustainable purchasing decisions by helping consumers better understand environmental and social labels. US Cotton Trust Protocol had to grow through Siegelklarheit´s assessment system in order to be used by the members of Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (PST).

Founded in October 2014, the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles aims to improve social and ecological conditions within global textile supply chains. The Textiles Partnership orientates its work on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and on international agreements and guidelines that define the principles of social, environmental, and economic sustainability and the framework for corporate responsibility.

The PST has developed an implementation framework and reporting format for corporate due diligence. In the context of this format PST member companies also indicate how much cotton they source and how much of it is sustainable or organic cotton, certified by recognized standards. Besides U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, these include Better Cotton standard, the Australian myBMP standard, Cotton made in Africa, Fairtrade Cotton and CottonConnect.