#Sustainability

2022-08-11

Bluesign defines “sustainable attributes” for approved chemicals within its bluesign® FINDER

By defining “sustainable attributes” for bluesign® APPROVED chemicals registered in the bluesign® FINDER, Bluesign is furthering its ability to provide more sustainable solutions by providing specified search functions to help chemical suppliers and the textile industry make better informed decisions. The bluesign® FINDER is a web-based, advanced search engine for manufacturers. It contains a positive list of preferred chemical products. Today more than 20,000 bluesign® APPROVED chemical products are registered in the bluesign® FINDER.

Bluesign® APPROVED chemical products already meet the stringent bluesign® CRITERIA for chemical assessment. That means that the approved chemicals are produced following best occupational health and safety (OH&S) practices with less environmental impact and excellent Product Stewardship following the principles of Input Stream Management and sustainable chemistry. Textiles processed with bluesign® APPROVED chemicals meet the highest level of consumer safety.

Sustainable chemistry is a holistic concept that strives to remediate or minimize negative impacts and enhance positive impacts on the environment, economy and society (including the protection of human rights), throughout the life-cycle of a chemical product. Sustainable chemicals should be designed for the circular economy, should accelerate the use of sustainable feedstocks, increase resource efficiency in downstream applications and contribute to the longevity of consumer products, while avoiding inherent properties that are harmful to human health and the environment.

Now, in addition to the existing functions within the bluesign® FINDER, bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER chemical suppliers can claim selected sustainability attributes for their bluesign® APPROVED chemical products that will be displayed within the bluesign® FINDER. Sustainability claims will be verified by Bluesign during on-site assessments and through chemical assessments. Requirements and data provisions will be laid out in the criteria: bluesign® CRITERIA for chemical assessment ANNEX: Sustainability attributes for bluesign® APPROVED chemical products.

See webpage:

https://www.bluesign.com/downloads/criteria/annex_sustainability_attributes_v1.0_2022-09.pdf)

The bluesign® FINDER will be amended with search functions starting this year with the below first priority attributes:

1. Renewable feedstock (biomass* or bio-based)

The sustainability attribute ‘Renewable feedstock (biomass or bio-based)’ is intended for use with any chemical product that contains at least 20% biomass content by weight in the form of biomass-derived carbon.

2. Sustainably sourced renewable feedstock (biomass* or bio-based)

The sustainability attribute ‘sustainably sourced renewable feedstock (biomass or bio-based)’ is intended for use with any chemical product that contains at least 20% biomass content by weight in the form of biomass-derived carbon. The biomass content shall originate from land that is certified sustainable.

3. Recycled content

The sustainability attribute ‘Recycled content’ is intended for use with any chemical product that contains at least 20% recycled content by weight. For the calculation of the recycled content only the dry content of the chemical product shall be regarded, excluding water.

This year bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER chemical suppliers can start to register these selected sustainability attributes for their bluesign® APPROVED chemical products. The bluesign® FINDER will evolve and a comprehensive online search engine for sustainable textile auxiliaries and dyes will be implemented.

In addition to these selected attributes further sustainability attributes are under discussion with the relevant stakeholder groups and subjected to future provisions. These attributes are also one of the puzzle pieces in the Sustainability Index for chemical products developed by SCTI™ in cooperation with Bluesign for further information see bluesign webpage:

https://www.bluesign.com/en/bluesign-scti-press-release

*Biomass and bio-based refers to material(s) of biological origin, excluding material embedded in geological formations or transformed to fossilized material (e.g. fossil fuels), and excluding peat. This includes material (both living and dead) from above and below the ground, e.g. trees, crops, grasses, algae, animals, and waste of a biological origin, e.g. manure.

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Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

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Indovinya advances sustainable solutions with agreement for the supply of renewable Oxygen from Air Liquide

Indovinya, the specialty chemicals and surfactants division of Indorama Ventures, has entered into an agreement with Air Liquide — a world leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare — for the supply of renewable oxygen. The agreement represents a strategic advancement in Indovinya’s commitment to sustainability, as it increases the share of renewable raw materials in the production of ethylene oxide, one of its key products.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.