Environmental issues

Textiles made from polyester (PES) release water-insoluble oligomers, which have an unknown effect on humans and the environment, when they are laundered, according to researchers from Empa in St.

A polyamide (PA) 6 made entirely from textile waste has been launched by BASF, of Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Inditex, of Arteixo, Spain.

Acrylonitrile (AN) made from bio-based and/or recycled feedstocks is to be used by Teijin, of Tokyo, Japan, to produce its Tenax carbon fibre.

Protective clothing (turnout gear) for firefighters that is not treated with finishes based on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is not oil-repellent, reducing the protection it offers, ac

The developer of a chemical-free, biology-based method for dyeing fabrics was selected as one of fifteen finalists for the 2023 Earthshot Prize.  

A titanium oxide-based photocatalyst could be used to remove toxic dyes from wastewater according to researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 

Asahi Kasei Corp is to produce a mass-balanced elastane fibre (Roica) for apparel using a bio-based tetrahydrofuran (THF BMB) from BASF. 

A pilot collection of comfortable and durable chef uniforms made from a combination of lyocell and recycled polyester (PES) fibres has been unveiled by cellulose-fibre manufacturer, Lenzing Group,

A waterproof membrane and an elastic dual-surface knitted fabric made from biobased polyamide (PA) 6.6 (Biolon) have been launched by Polartec of Andover, Massachusetts, USA. 

A perfluorinated chemicals (PFC)-free finish (Empel) is more water-repellent than finishes based on fluorocarbons, according to testing undertaken by The Haartz Corp of Acton, Massachusetts, USA. 

A waterless dyeing technology, developed by DyeCoo and operated by CleanDye at its factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than conventional textile-dyein

The developer of a hydrothermal process for the recycling of polyester (PES)–cotton textiles, Circ LLC, of Danville, Virginia, USA, has been selected as one of fifteen finalists for the 2023 Ea

A marine microorganism that can break-down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in saltwater has been produced through genetic engineering by researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Ra

Plastics that are used in the production of textiles and are routinely described as biodegradable, such as polylactic acid (PLA), show no signs of degradation after more than a year submerged in th

Indorama Ventures (IVL) has secured exclusive rights to use a technology developed by Polymateria that enables the production of biodegradable polyolefins for use in nonwovens for hygiene applicati

A process for the production of monoethylene glycol (MEG), a starting material for the manufacture of polyester (PES), using carbon dioxide (CO₂) extracted from industrial waste gases is

Milliken & Co says that it has become the first US-based manufacturer of textiles to eliminate all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from its ranges of products.  

The laundering of textiles in the UK generates microfibres weighing the equivalent of 600–1500 double-decker buses every year, according to researchers from the University of Leeds. 

Developer of halogen-free flame-retardants, FRX Polymers, reports that the listing of three common flame-retardants as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA

A coating that reduces the amount of microfibres that are shed when clothes made of synthetic fabrics are washed is being developed by researchers at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada.

A range of threads that are made from recycled polyester (PES) and contain an additive that causes them to biodegrade has been launched by Coats of Uxbridge, UK. 

Lifecycle assessments (LCAs) are now being used by Teijin to determine the impact that the production, use and disposal of its carbon fibre-reinforced intermediate products have on the environment.

The latest environmentally sustainable bags for the transportation of dry bulk materials, particularly cement, will be the focus of the exhibit of the Vienna, Austria-based Starlinger Ges.mbH durin

Polyester (PES) resin recycled from fishing nets by Teijin is now being used to produce food trays for a restaurant chain in Japan. 

A polymer called polycarbodiimide can remove certain dyes from water, and can be recovered and re-used, according to researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh, USA, who say t

The impacts that dyes, softeners and other finishes have on the quantity and degradation of microfibres shed by cotton fabrics are being studied by researchers at North Carolina State University (N

Teijin Frontier Co Ltd has developed a proprietary system for calculating the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions generated by its processes for the production of polyester (PES) fibres.

The tumble-drying of a load of laundry in a vented system releases the same amount of microfibres into the air as the washing of the load releases into sewage and drainage systems.

An enzyme that is able to help break-down terephthalate (TPA) – one of the chemical building blocks of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used to make single-use drinks bottles, clothing an

Under the right circumstances, the mass-customisation of clothing can generate higher profits and could reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry considerably, according to researcher

A single vented tumble dryer can discharge up to 120 million microfibres into the air each year - considerably more than is discharged into sewers and drains by a washing machine – according to a p

A tool (called Impact Calculator) that will enable manufacturers of textiles and textile products to gauge the impact that their operations have on the environment has been launched by the Oeko-Tex

Manufacturer of textiles for workwear, Carrington Textiles of Adlington, UK, has launched eight fabrics that feature sustainable fibres – including recycled polyester (PES) and cotton – and synthet

Over the next five years, thread manufacturer Coats of Uxbridge, UK, will invest US$10 million in the development of environmentally sustainable technologies and materials.

Wood-based cellulosic fibres biodegrade in the ocean within a short period of time at the end of their life cycle, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibres, accor

Sustainable processes for the dyeing, finishing and decoration of textiles were showcased by members of the Stockholm-based Textiles Machinery Association of Sweden (TMAS) at The World Congress

The environmental impacts of three waterproof jackets – a version produced using conventional materials and methods, a blue version with an outer layer made from polyester (PES) derived from recycl

A cellulose-based nonwoven from Suominen of Helsinki, Finland, has received the Fine to Flush Manufacturer’s

The developer of a method that enables micro- and nanoplastics to be tracked as they spread in water, soil and organisms is to be presented with the Marie Heim-Vögtlin Prize by the Swiss N

An expanded-polyethylene (ePE) film is now part of the range of the Fabrics Division of W. L. Gore & Associates.

An industry alliance has completed a fibre-fragmentation trial as it looks to develop a harmonised industry standard to tackle issues relating to the shedding of microfibres from textiles.