#Sustainability

2023-02-16

SABIC joins global together for sustainability initiative

SABIC, a global leader in the chemicals industry, has joined Together for Sustainability (TfS), a procurement-driven initiative created by chemical companies with the goal of assessing, auditing, improving sustainability practices within their supply chains. Building on SABIC’s global network and commitment to driving sustainable solutions through collaboration, the move will enable SABIC to help raise sustainability standards in procurement in partnership with a network of 40+ other chemical companies.

Khaled Saleh Al-Kharboush, Vice President of Global Procurement at SABIC, said, “Embedding sustainability into the company’s procurement processes, policies and culture as a foundational pillar is a key part of SABIC’s sustainable procurement strategy. Joining TfS will enable us to reach our goals faster, to allocate our resources to value-adding activities, and to proactively contribute to enhanced ESG performance in close collaboration with our industry peers.”

By joining TfS, SABIC will also gain access to established methodologies and infrastructure that will help accelerate the implementation of its sustainable procurement strategy and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Collaboration is vital to increasing the industry’s transparency on upstream value chains to support further reductions in scope 3 greenhouse emissions. Members of TfS jointly operate global supplier assessments and audit programs through independent experts, eliminating the need for each member to conduct their own assessment programs and greatly reducing the burden on suppliers to participate in numerous different programs.

Bertrand Conquéret, President of TfS, said, “The arrival of SABIC strengthens TfS’s global leadership and opens up a new region, namely the Middle East. Together and with our strategic partners we will continue to increase our impact on the sustainability performance in chemical supply chains around the world.”

The move signals yet another way SABIC seeks to deliver sustainable solutions by collaborating and exchanging ideas with experienced industry peers. In addition to TfS, SABIC co-chairs the LCET Initiative, an effort developed with the World Economic Forum (WEF) focused on upscaling low-carbon emitting technologies in chemical production to put the industry on track to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The company is also a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a global community of companies dedicated to building a circular economy for plastic.

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.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.