#Sustainability

2020-06-25

Beyond MRSL conformance: Hohenstein and Scivera collaborate on pathway to verified, greener chemical formulations

Hohenstein and Scivera have streamlined the process for chemical suppliers to assess and validate preferred chemicals and to proactively improve formulations to ZDHC MRSL conformance level 3 and beyond for apparel, footwear and home textiles.

The collaboration integrates software, certification and analytical testing to enable suppliers to improve and verify greener formulations. Brands taking action to move beyond MRSL compliance, including Levi Strauss & Co., will benefit from meeting ZDHC goals along with verified greener chemistries they can trust.

“Progressive brands and chemical suppliers are showing strong leadership that will positively impact our industry, consumer safety and the environment,” John Frazier, senior technical director at Hohenstein, said. “This is a systems approach to achieve then move beyond MRSL compliance to verified, greener chemistry.”

Engaging with Hohenstein or Scivera as their lead service provider, chemical suppliers can take advantage of the streamlined process to meet greener chemistry requirements for a growing number of brands. Formulations certified with Screened Chemistry through Scivera and conforming to ZDHC MRSL level 3 through ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® with Hohenstein can go beyond level 3 by assessing and verifying greener attributes.

“Greener chemistry means formulating and using chemistries that have verified, preferred characteristics to create safer conditions for workers, consumers and the environment. When applied together, the powerful tools offered by Hohenstein and Scivera remove barriers, enable continuous improvement and make greener chemistry attainable,” Joe Rinkevich, President at Scivera, said.

Hohenstein offers the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification to manage and verify chemicals, dyes and auxiliaries. Following RSL/MRSL screening, analytical testing, feedback and assessments, certified chemicals are listed in the OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide and pushed to the ZDHC Chemical Gateway at MRSL conformance levels 1, 2 or 3.

Scivera offers its globally accessible platform, SciveraLENS®, to support their Screened Chemistry Scoring and Certification for hazard assessment of formulation ingredients and impurities. Through the platform, users evaluate the characteristics of individual chemicals and formulations for sourcing and formulation decisions and preview these results to improve scores and avoid regrettable chemical substitutions.

For more information, go to

Hohenstein.US/GreenerChemistry or

Scivera.com/GreenerChemistry.

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.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

New DIN SPEC assesses environmental impact of textile fragments in soil

Textile products made from synthetic fibres, finished fabrics or dyed materials release fibre fragments into the environment at every stage of their life cycle. With the new DIN SPEC 19296, Hohenstein has developed a standardised testing method to analyse how these fragments behave in soil under natural conditions. Until now, little was known about their environmental behaviour or potential ecological effects once released.

Jeanologia and BCome connect factory data with Life Cycle Assessment and Digital Product Passports

A new white paper by EIM by Jeanologia and BCome demonstrates how primary environmental data from denim finishing processes can be integrated into a garment's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and prepared for use in a Digital Product Passport (DPP). A comparative case study highlights significant improvements at the production stage while also showing how these translate into the environmental performance of the finished garment.

The Or Foundation, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex launch Apparel Recovery Coalition, responding to impacts of post-consumer textile exports

adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, Inditex and The Or Foundation, with support from Circle Economy, unveiled the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC). The coalition will explore how producer responsibility systems can support circular pathways such as reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management in countries that receive large volumes of exported secondhand apparel.

Georg Stausberg, a veteran of the textile machinery industry, takes over as Rieter Group CEO

Georg Stausberg, one of the most experienced executives in the international textile machinery industry, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Rieter Group with immediate effect from 4 November 2026. With more than three decades of industry experience and a long-standing leadership career at Barmag, Stausberg brings extensive technological expertise, international market knowledge and an established network across the global textile industry to his new position.

Inside the Making connects denim and sportswear supply chains at Ecomondo 2026

Six European companies are joining forces at Ecomondo 2026 in Rimini to demonstrate how different stages of denim and sportswear production are interconnected. The new initiative, Inside the Making, highlights the importance of cooperation across the textile supply chain in addressing sustainability challenges, from reducing resource consumption to improving transparency and the reliability of environmental claims.

EDANA welcomes definitive EU anti-dumping measures on Chinese PET spunbond

EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, has welcomed the European Commission's decision to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of PET spunbond originating in China. The association considers the measures an important step towards restoring fair competition and safeguarding European industrial capacity.

EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese PET spunbond imports

The European Commission has introduced definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 39.8% to 48.1% on imports of PET spunbond from China. The measures, which entered into force on 31 October 2026, will remain in place for five years and are intended to address unfairly priced imports that have caused injury to European manufacturers. The EU market for these nonwoven materials is valued at approximately €200 million.