#Sustainability

2020-05-28

H&M Group number one in organic cotton and certified down

The global non-profit Textile Exchange today releases its 2019 Material Change Insights Report, providing an in-depth evaluation of the state of sustainable materials sourcing in the textile sector. H&M Group leads the ranking in the use of organic cotton and down certified by the Responsible Down Standard, whilst at the same time the group continues being one of the world’s biggest user of recycled cotton, recycled wool, recycled nylon and lyocell.

H&M Group continues showing progress towards sourcing all its materials in a more sustainable way

H&M Group is recognized as the number one company sourcing preferred cotton. This includes organic cotton, recycled cotton and cotton sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), among others. The company has been progressively taking steps toward its goal that by 2020 all its cotton should be either organic, recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way through BCI.

“We are delighted to see H&M Group committed on all fronts. As an industry leader in material change, H&M Group features in our Material Change Leaders Circle and achieved a leading position in the family of indices: including the Sustainable Development Goals, Cotton, Manmade Cellulosics and Down. From a climate change and natural resource perspective, it is going to require both adopting recycled and preferred renewable materials and building truly resilient supply communities – and relationships. The industry needs leaders like H&M Group to find holistic, inclusive solutions to interconnected problems. That's what the Textile Exchange Material Change Index is designed to support,” says Liesl Truscott, Director of European & Materials Strategy, Textile Exchange.

“Being ranked as a leading company in sustainable materials sourcing is a great recognition to all the hard work we do every day to make our business more sustainable. But that doesn’t mean we are done yet, there is still work to do to increase the use of recycled materials and push for innovative materials. We are fully committed to use our size and scale to lead the way towards a more sustainable fashion future,” says Cecilia Brännsten, Environmental Sustainability Manager H&M Group.

The group is also one of the world’s biggest user of recycled materials, such as recycled nylon – from old fishing nets, carpets and leftover waste from production – and recycled polyester. Last year, H&M Group used recycled polyester equivalent to nearly 537 million PET bottles.

After cotton and synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon, the materials H&M Group uses the most are man-made cellulosic materials, such as viscose. Sourcing them in a more sustainable way has been a big part of the company’s goal. H&M Group maintains its position as one of the world’s biggest user of lyocell coming from sustainable wood sources produced in an environmentally responsible closed loop process.

H&M Group continues working toward the goal that by 2030 all its materials should be either recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way. The challenge ahead is to increase the percentage of recycled fibers, mainly due to lack of technology to make the textile recycling fully scalable. That is why the company is actively investing in promising new textile recycling technologies, such as Circulose, which recycles textiles with high content of cotton and viscose into a cellulosic material that the fashion industry can use to make new virgin-quality clothes.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 signed by Governor

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is proud to announce that Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability.

Modtissimo promotes sustainability with 28 coordinates in the Green Circle

Modtissimo is proving more and more to be a textile and clothing show that delivers the latest innovations in the area of sustainability, with the iTechStyle Green Circle being the main showcase for companies' creations. In this 60+4 edition, taking place on 12 and 13 September, 28 coordinates will be exhibited in a section organised by CITEVE and curated by Paulo Gomes.

The EU and Egypt team up to mobilise private sector investments at Investment Conference and sign a Memorandum of Understanding underpinning €1 billion in macro-financial assistance for Egypt

At the EU-Egypt Investment Conference, co-organised by the EU and the Government of Egypt on 29-30 June, the EU and Egypt are teaming up to intensify private sector investments in Egypt. They are also signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the disbursement to Egypt of up to €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance.

RadiciGroup: 21st Sustainability Report published

RadiciGroup has published its 21st Sustainability Report, covering the year 2024, confirming more than two decades of transparency and measurement in the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. From its first Social Report in 2004 to the current reporting aligned with the GRI Universal Standards, the Group is now preparing for its next challenge: the adoption of the criteria that will be set out by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

EU aims to advance global clean transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement at UN's COP30

At the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, from 10-21 November, the European Union will reaffirm its strong commitment to climate action. The EU is dedicated to paving the way toward a global transition that is clean, fair, and resilient. This transition aims to provide clean and affordable energy, create business opportunities, stimulate growth, enhance industrial competitiveness, and leave no one behind.

Indorama Ventures and Indovinya Global Leaders represent the Group at the Climate Action Innovation Zone in São Paulo

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, proudly joins the Climate Action Innovation Zone taking place this year in São Paulo (SP), from November 6 to 8, held for the fifth time in parallel with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). The event brings together global leaders, companies, and policymakers committed to accelerating industrial innovation and sustainability.

Innovation and customer proximity – KARL MAYER’s clear focus makes an impression

ITMA ASIA in Singapore was a resounding success for KARL MAYER, exceeding all expectations. The company welcomed visitors from 39 countries and held around 570 expert discussions. Most guests came from India, followed by China, Indonesia and Pakistan. The exchange with them was both well-founded and targeted. Conversation topics ranged from investment projects and new technologies to opportunities for cooperation and business expansion.

Catching heart disease early with AI-based sensor system

It slips on like a normal vest: Fraunhofer IZM has created a smart sensor system in cooperation with the Charité and the Technical University of Berlin. The vest records a vast array of cardiovascular parameters, which an AI-based system uses to support medical diagnostics and spot potentially dangerous developments.