#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.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.