#Sustainability

2022-12-15

Into the comfort zone

Another advantage of OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN is that products made of mixed fabrics can also be certified, regardless of the material. © OEKO-TEX®

Sustainability is the key: More and more consumers prefer consciously and socially responsible manufactured bedding, bed linen and towels. Many manufacturers of home textiles are orienting themselves to this demand and are increasingly relying on relevant labels such as OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, as are more and more brands and retailers. Visitors to the Heimtextil international trade fair in Frankfurt from 10 to 13 January 2023 will also be able to see how much the topic of sustainability is now shaping the global home textiles industry.

With MADE IN GREEN, OEKO-TEX® offers a consumer label with a clear commitment to high product safety and ecological and social production conditions. The label scores with a high degree of transparency: each label has a unique product ID or a QR code. With one scan, the individual supply chain of each labelled textile product is revealed - ideal starting conditions to create sustainable trust. Manufacturers who are considering the gradual and targeted implementation of individual sustainability aspects can benefit from the OEKO-TEX® modular system. In addition to quality assurance at every stage of the textile value chain, it enables a simplified selection of ingredients and suppliers with OEKO-TEX® certification. Michael Möller, Head of the Audits & Certification Department at the testing service provider Hohenstein, adds: "The use of pre-certificates results in substantial cost savings for our customers.

What's more: for manufacturers of home textiles, the "upgrade" from STANDARD 100 to MADE IN GREEN is much less complicated than for manufacturers with complexly constructed products made up of numerous individual components. So if they have home textiles tested for harmful substances according to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and prove through STeP certification that the manufacturing conditions in their production sites are environmentally friendly and socially responsible, then they are eligible to label their home textiles with the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label." Another major advantage of OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN is that products made of mixed fabrics, such as terry towelling made of 50% cotton and 50% PES microfiber, can also be certified, regardless of the material.

Trade fair visitors can discuss open questions and more details about the OEKO-TEX® services and the OEKO-TEX® modular system with the Hohenstein experts in person during the Heimtextil trade fair from 10 January to 13 January 2023 at the OEKO-TEX® trade fair stand in Hall 12.0, Stand D48. They are also welcome to make an appointment in advance at customerservice@hohenstein.com.

Many manufacturers of home textiles, brands and retailers are increasingly relying on relevant labels such as OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN. © OEKO-TEX®

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.

Stäubli to introduce new S3292 dobby for high-speed weaving at ITME India 2026

Stäubli will introduce its new S3292 dobby at ITME India 2026, taking place from December 4 to 9 at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Designed for high-speed air-jet weaving, the new machine will be among the highlights of the company's presentation, which also includes warp preparation systems, cam motions, Jacquard technologies and digital services.

DITF develops bio-based binding fibers for wood-fiber insulation materials

As part of the CelluWoodFlex project, the German Institutes of Textile- and Fiber-Research in Denkendorf (DITF) are developing bio-based cellulose ester fibers as alternative binding fibers for flexible wood fiber insulation materials. In addition to the spinning process and the production of suitable staple fibers, the institute is also investigating how wood and cellulose fibers can be separated and recycled at the end of their useful life.

Reju expands textile-to-textile recycling network with six international fabric manufacturers

Reju, a textile-to-textile regeneration company, is expanding its industrial network through collaborations with six fabric manufacturers in Europe and the Americas. The initiative aims to accelerate the integration of regenerated polyester into textile manufacturing and support the development of finished fabrics for commercial applications.

Magnera highlights HighPleat™ filtration media technology at FiltXPO 2026

At FiltXPO 2026, held on October 28–29 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Magnera highlighted advances in air filtration media architecture, with a particular focus on its HighPleat™ platform for MERV 8–10 applications. The technology combines a lofted fiber structure with optimized pore architecture to address the challenge of balancing filtration efficiency, airflow resistance and contaminant-holding capacity.