#Sustainability

2021-07-08

H&M Group amongst highest scoring brands in Transparency Index 2021

Every year, Fashion Revolution releases its Fashion Transparency Index, which ranks multiple companies according to how much information they disclose about their suppliers, supply chain policies and practices, and social and environmental impact. This year H&M brand has ranked 2nd out of 250 brands reviewed by the Fashion Transparency Index.

We are proud, that our work for greater transparency in the fashion industry is recognized by third parties, such as Fashion Revolution and the Fashion Transparency Index. We believe brands should be accountable for their value chain and more industry wide transparency commitments will help to drive real, positive change and ultimately a more sustainable fashion industry.

Leyla Ertur, Head of Sustainability at H&M Group

H&M Group is committed to increasing transparency across the fashion industry. Not only does transparency empower businesses to make better decisions that will ultimately drive more sustainable operations, it also empowers customers to make more informed decisions about what they are buying. As such we are very proud to be once be again ranked as one of the highest scoring brands in the 2021 Fashion Transparency Index.

Transparency has always been a key part of H&M Groups sustainability strategy and something we have been actively engaged in for many years. In 2013, we published our supplier list online and we were the first global fashion retailer to do so. It shows factory names and addresses of all our manufacturing suppliers. Today, it also covers many factories that are subcontracted by our suppliers for tasks such as washing, embroidery or printing as well as the many fabric and yarn mills. Our ambition is of course to disclose further information about our supply chain and we are continuously working to improve this.

In another step towards greater transparency we also recently joined the Green Consumption Pledge Initiative, initiated by the European Commission. We have thereby committed to further disclose information on our work and results related to our strategy to become circular and climate positive, setting clear goals and being transparent about our achievements.

Another key element of our transparency journey is our work with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition – a global alliance which we became a founding member of in 2010 – who are working to create an industry standard for measuring and communicating the sustainability performance of facilities, brands/retailers and products. This long-term work has resulted in the launch of a first version of the Higg Index Sustainability Profile on selected H&M products on hm.com in Europe and the US at the beginning of this year. The on-product profiles share environmental performance scores for materials and is based on independently verified environmental impact data from the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI).

We believe that supply chain disclosure and visibility of where our products and materials come from and their impact on the environment and society, are key for achieving a more sustainable value chain. The more we know about our suppliers’ performance — and that of their suppliers — the greater our ability to target improvements, collaborate across the industry and create long-term change. While transparency itself should not be seen as the end goal, we recognize that transparency is a vital enabler to reach many of our long-term sustainability goals.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

Textile Exchange reports growth in certifications and industry engagement

Textile Exchange has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in certified sites, industry participation and the development of its standards and membership structure. According to the report, more than 100,000 sites worldwide are now certified to Textile Exchange standards, more than three times the number recorded in 2020. Preliminary figures also indicate 12% year-on-year growth across the organization's current standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).