#Sustainability

2020-09-10

H&M Group lays the foundation for its biodiversity work

Cecilia Brännsten presents H&M Group's ambition for biodiversity during WWF's presentation of the Living Planet Report 2020.

Today WWF has published its flagship Living Planet Report, a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet. This year's report provides scientific evidence to what nature has been telling us repeatedly: unsustainable human activity - today world citizens live as if we had 1.6 globes at our disposal - is pushing the planet’s natural systems that support life on Earth to the edge. In this context, Environmental Sustainability Manager Cecilia Brännsten presents H&M Group's ambition for biodiversity.

"A thriving fashion industry is undeniably dependent on healthy ecosystems and climate change kept within safe planetary boundaries."

Cecilia Brännsten, Environmental Sustainability Manager H&M Group

Cecilia adds: "When using the land for cultivating the cotton to make our customers’ favourite garments, regenerative farming is the future. When washing and dyeing the customers favorite jeans the soil and water should be left unharmed. Our ambition for biodiversity, together with our climate strategy, will help us in our work to relieve the planet from critical pressure, creating a more resilient supply chain and business".

“It is extremely important that businesses start taking action to fight biodiversity loss, as they have a powerful role to play in bending the curve and investing in nature. We salute H&M’s holistic approach to manage their impact and dependence on biodiversity and hope that other companies will follow their example.”

Erika Sundell, Head of Corporate Partnerships at WWF Sweden

H&M Group's long-term vision is to have a net positive impact on biodiversity. That means not only avoiding and mitigating harm, but leaving the natural environment in a better state than beforehand through habitat restoration and protection.

In order to achieve this, H&M Group has set two objectives:

1. To prevent and reduce the company's overall impact on biodiversity and natural ecosystems in our value chain.

2. Help to protect and restore biodiversity and natural ecosystems in line with what science requires*.

The base for H&M Group's ambition on biodiversity started with a biodiversity footprint assessment to identify the biggest impact areas of our business. The next step is now to align and formalise goals. Looking ahead, the company will continue to:

cooperate with WWF through a specific biodiversity workstream,

work on biodiversity traceability strategy to measure progress,

participate in forums and cooperating with organisations driving work in the area of biodiversity.

*Science currently calls for action to ensure that 50% of the Earth’s surface is protected, restored and sustainably managed by 2030, with 30% of the area being fully protected and 20% sustainably managed.

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.

Denim moves towards sustainability

EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement), the global reference platform for measuring the environmental impact of garment finishing, presents the second edition of its annual report Denim Industry Progress & Insights 2025. The study analyses over 100,000 real denim finishing processes, providing an accurate and up-to-date view of the industry’s evolution towards more sustainable models.

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.

Mimaki ‘Powers Possibilities’ with a market-diverse application and printer line-up at FESPA 2026

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, is bringing its “Print Different - Powering Possibilities” theme to life at FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 (Fira de Barcelona, 19-22 May 2026), demonstrating how digital printing technology can turn ideas into high-value applications and new business opportunities.

From advanced fibres to eco‑focused yarns: Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 set to welcome global industry to Shanghai

From 25 – 27 August, Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 will return to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) to reinforce its role as a key meeting point for the global yarn and fibre industry. With over 22,000 visitors, the previous edition gathered nearly 580 leading exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, showcasing advanced developments and creative applications that support innovative, sustainable textile design. The upcoming edition will not only present an extensive range of fibre and yarn products, but will also feature a comprehensive fringe programme, including industry forums and trend display areas, providing innovative upstream enterprises with a stage to introduce next‑generation materials and sustainable concepts.

Monforts sees growing potential for technical textiles in Türkiye

For many years now, Türkiye has been one of the most important markets for textile finishing, coating and continuous dyeing equipment, making ITM 2026 from June 9-13 a key event for Germany’s Monforts. At the Istanbul exhibition at stand 1117D in Hall 11, the company will put the emphasis on its machines which continue to lead the field in conventional dyeing and finishing, and also highlight the strong opportunities for Turkish textile manufacturers in the growing field of technical textiles.