#Sustainability

2019-09-19

Minister Gerd Müller introduces the "Green Button", a publicly endorsed textile label

German Development Minister Gerd Müller has introduced the Green Button, a publicly endorsed textile certification mark. For the launch, 27 companies are already signed up. They have successfully passed the demanding scrutiny for the new textile label. Another 26 companies are currently going through the process of scrutiny.

Minister Müller: "Globalisation first began with the textiles industry in the 19th century. Now it is time for fair globalisation to begin there, too. With the Green Button label we are setting a high standard and we are showing that fair supply chains are possible. After today no one will be able to deny that any more. All the companies that have signed up to the new certification are proof."

Products like T-shirts, bed sheets or backpacks have to meet 26 demanding social and environmental standards – from limits for chemical residues and a total ban on dangerous chemicals to minimum wages and no child or forced labour. In addition, the company itself is scrutinised based on 20 other criteria: Does it disclose its suppliers? Do seamstresses have recourse to complaints mechanisms where they work and live? Does the company eradicate any shortcomings that are found?

Minister Müller: "That is what makes the Green Button special: the entire company is scrutinised. It is not enough for it to have a few products ‘for show'. No other label applies this depth of scrutiny."

To start with, the Green Button will cover the two most important production stages: "sewing" and "dyeing". All of the 100 billion garments produced worldwide go through these stages. There are 75 million people employed in carrying out these processes. And this is what the workers were doing at the Rana Plaza textile factory which collapsed.

Over the next few years the Green Button will be expanded to cover other stages of production, such as cotton growing. The social and environmental criteria will also be continuously developed, for example towards promoting living wages. An advisory board with representatives from business, science and civil society is providing support.

Minister Müller: "Fair fashion is a huge trend right now. Seventy-five per cent of consumers say that fair clothing is important to them. Until now, however, there was a lack of orientation. The Green Button will change that. We will now be able to make a contribution to fair globalisation with our every purchase, all the while ensuring that neither people nor nature are exploited for our consumption choices. It will be a contribution for human compassion and humanity."

Presentation of the publicy endorsed textile label "Green Button" with (from left to right) Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Chairman of the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), Thomas Linemayr, Chairman of the Management Board of Tchibo GmbH, Antje von Dewitz, Managing Director of VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG and Federal Development Minister Gerd MüllerCopyright© Thomas Köhler/photothek.net

The following companies have already signed up:

The 27 companies already signed up to the Green Button include start-ups, medium-sized companies, recognised sustainability pioneers and big brands: Alma & Lovis, Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Brands Fashion, CharLe, Derbe, Dibella, Engel, Feuervogl, Hans Natur, hessnatur, Hopp, Kaufland, Kaya&Kato, Lidl, Manomama, Melawear, Millitomm, Modespitze Plauen, Phyne, Posseimo, Rewe Group, Schweickardt Moden, Tchibo, Trigema, Vaude and 3 Freunde.

Another 26 companies are currently going through the scrutiny process; they include Hugo Boss, the Otto Group and also some smaller businesses such as Socks4Fun.

For further information (in German) about the Green Button visit:

https://www.gruener-knopf.de

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

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.

Europe’s textile future at a turning point: New 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to scale recycling and unlock investment opportunities

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection. In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy.

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.