#Textile chemistry

2023-05-17

ZDHC committed comminity announcement May 2023

As of May 2023, ZDHC welcomes two new Friends of ZDHC to the ZDHC Committed Community.

As a Friend:

The Lacoste brand was founded by a French tennis legend and four time international champion, René Lacoste. Drawing inspiration from sporting values of high standards, fair play, and daring, Lacoste has passed down these values through the generations and cultivated elegance as a way of being and inventing one's life in their brand.

As a responsible fashion player, Lacoste has dedicated itself to creating and introducing a new model for sustainable fashion. Their innovative and ambitious co-construction approach involves all of their partners and takes into account the overall environmental impact, including that of their suppliers. In line with their commitment to "acting for the planet," Lacoste has joined ZDHC's Roadmap to Zero Programme. One of Lacoste’s pillars is to fight against pollution for consumers and the environment by optimising the use of chemical products. By adhering to our Roadmap to Zero Programme, Lacoste continues on its journey towards sustainability, seeking to reduce its environmental footprint and create a better future for all.

"Chemical management in facilities producing our Lacoste goods is key to ensuring the well-being of local communities and planet protection. To accomplish this with the most advanced tool of such matter, Lacoste is very motivated to be part of the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme."

-Raynald Anquet, VP Global Quality at Lacoste Operations

As a Friend:

New Look began its journey in 1969 with a single store located on Taunton High Street. Today, it has expanded its reach to become a global retail powerhouse, boasting 432 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, with its products shipped to 65 countries.

New Look recognises that chemicals used within their value chain, from raw material extraction to the finished products, can have serious environmental impacts if not managed correctly. As such, improving chemical management across all their value chains is a key focus of their sustainability strategy going forward. By joining ZDHC’s Roadmap to Zero Programme, New Look will be implementing an industry leading framework to manage and mitigate the risks associated with the use and discharge of harmful chemicals.

“Being a Friend of ZDHC improves transparency of chemical management within our value chain and helps us identify priorities to meet our sustainability goals."

-Katie Pryce, CSR Manager at New Look

“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.

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 closes doors, advancing sustainable and innovative sourcing in South China

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 served as a strategically positioned mid-year sourcing platform for the Greater Bay Area, highlighting Shenzhen’s role in connecting regional demand, supply and innovation exchange across the textile value chain. During the three-day fair, over 20,000 visits were drawn from 74 countries and regions[1], as exhibitors and buyers engaged with new developments in greener, performance-led, and value-added yarn and fibre solutions. Held in conjunction with Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and PH Value, the fair underscored the benefits of closer synergy and new materials across yarn, fabric and apparel platforms for the South China market.