#Sustainability

2012-03-29

Team James Heal - We Did It!

L-R David Repper (Managing Director), John Hamer (Packaging Technician), Steve Holland (Weaver), Greg Godeau (Sales Account Manager),
Simon Dakin (International Sales Manager) and Elliot Rich (Sales Director).
(c) 2012 James Heal

Team James Heal contended with scorching temperatures in Cheshire, UK, at the weekend to triumphantly complete the Wilmslow half-marathon. Running to raise money and awareness for the children’s charity PhysCap, the team of six was made up of a range of ages and abilities.

Some of the team had never even run competitively before, yet took on Sunday’s thirteen mile challenge with gusto.

The £750 target was well and truly beaten, with the team raising over £1000 for the charity, thanks to sponsorship from colleagues, friends and family.

Managing Director David Repper says of the team’s performance; ‘I’m so proud of Team James Heal. It was a very warm day, which made the run all the more difficult, but we all completed the race - a great achievement. I’m delighted to have raised so much money for PhysCap, and pleased that we could help this fantastic cause.’

PhysCap supports children in Yorkshire living with severe physical disabilities by purchasing specialised and therapeutic equipment. The equipment helps improve the quality of life for severely disabled young people, and PhysCap have many success stories from their 25 years in existence. James Heal are pleased the money raised by us will help to provide support for children in the future.

To find out more about PhysCap please visit

http://www.physcap.org

Results of the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

Closing the Footwear Loop reveals challenges and opportunities for circular footwear

The footwear industry faces one of the most complex circularity challenges in the fashion sector. A new Phase 1 report from the Fashion for Good initiative Closing the Footwear Loop, developed together with Circle Economy, provides new insights into the composition, condition and recycling potential of post-consumer footwear waste.

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.