#Sustainability

2023-09-20

Sustainability from A to Z” by FiloFlow & C.L.A.S.S.

Sustainable and responsible creativity is a challenge which the textile industry must face. However, companies don't always know how to orient themselves in the complex world of sustainability. A compass comes from “Sustainability from A to Z”, the service made available by Filo in cooperation with C.L.A.S.S., the international eco-hub founded by Giusy Bettoni, with its long and consolidated experience in offering services that support companies on their path towards responsible innovation.

Paolo Monfermoso, responsible for Filo, explains: “By the word “sustainability” we are referring to many different concepts: for example, adherence to production models aware of the social and environmental impact, as well as the compliance with European and national regulations, in addition to the increasingly fundamental certifications. Not to mention those who call evident green washing practices “sustainability”. Considering all this, starting from the last edition, together with C.L.A.S.S., we have decided to offer Filo’s exhibitors and visitors the ‘Sustainability from A to Z’ service to help them orient themselves in this world, aiming at achieving a “Good, Healthy, Clean, Fair, and Durable’ textile– that is the five adjectives chosen as the fil rouge of the 60thedition of Filo”.

Next to the Sustainability Area, the desk of “Sustainability from A to Z” is ready to give visitors and exhibitors of the 60th edition of Filo information and effective suggestions concerning sustainability: from strategies to integrate it into a business plan to certifications, to measurements of environmental impacts and end-of-life assessments, from the importance of ethics to energy savings, from responsible innovation to new generation communication - the great challenge of the moment - to sustainability reports.

Giusy Bettoni, CEO of C.L.A.S.S, says: “Innovate in the textile industry without having a negative impact on people, environment, oceans, and animals is a complex task. It means knowing your impacts and having measured yourself and then knowing how to communicate them in the right way, so that we talk about “measured” values and not about “wish lists” and promises. That is why Filo and C.L.A.S.S. make themselves available to talk about strategies related to design, responsible innovation, and new generation communication, but through simple information. When we talk about sustainability, nothing has to be taken for granted or considered as ordinary, so that it is fundamental to create new generations values in line with contemporary consumers. That’s why we make available to the companies, as C.L.A.S.S together with Filo, and through ‘Sustainability from A to Z’ our competences and expertise. Starting from the yarn, which is almost always at the base of the product, the genesis of creation”.

The 60th edition of Filo takes place on the 20th and 21st of September 2023 at Allianz MiCo – Milan.

“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.

Results of the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

Closing the Footwear Loop reveals challenges and opportunities for circular footwear

The footwear industry faces one of the most complex circularity challenges in the fashion sector. A new Phase 1 report from the Fashion for Good initiative Closing the Footwear Loop, developed together with Circle Economy, provides new insights into the composition, condition and recycling potential of post-consumer footwear waste.

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

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.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.