CHRISTCHURCH - Microfibres from machine-washable wool biodegrade more than three times faster than untreated wool in water, according to a surprising new study by scientists at New Zealand's AgResearch which serves the country's agriculture industry.AgResearch, a corporatised state research institute, found that both untreated wool and machine-washable wool biodegraded readily in a marine environment compared to synthetic fibres.But researchers found that machine-washable wool biodegrade

STUTTGART – The new version of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) released includes new requirements for chemical formulators, makes changes to the addition of regenerated and virgin synthetic textile fibres and has added a completely new section on ‘migrant workers.’Version 6.0 of GOTS, which is updated every 3 years, covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70 per cent certified organic natural fibres.Source

AMSTERDAM - Three new companies - including Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing Co Ltd - have signed up to the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero initiative to replace hazardous chemicals with safer ones in textiles and clothing production.Fast Retailing becomes a ZDHC signatory brand, while speciality chemicals company, the Bozzetto Group, and textile producer Century Rayon have become ZDHC contributors. Meanwhile, fashion giant Ralph Lauren has become an official friend of the programme.A ZDHC statement said: "

LONDON - Fashion brands are being urged to dramatically cut their use of virgin raw materials within the next decade to address the climate and nature emergencies facing the planet.The call comes in a new report, entitled the Earth Logic Action Plan, which was commissioned by the JJ Charitable Trust and written by a group of academics, business leaders and analysts.It urges businesses across the global fashion sector to “radically transform” their models, to put nature ahead of short-term financ

The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (TEXPROCIL) has requested the government for urgent policy intervention to provide fiscal relief and ensure credit flow to the textile sector. The suggested steps include extending the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (ROSCTL) scheme to cotton yarn and fabrics and the Merchandise Exports of India (MEIS) scheme to all textile products beyond March 31.Pic: ShutterstockThe spread of coronavirus has led to cancellation and deferment o

With the UK Prime Minister advising Brits to avoid all non-essential travel and work from home where possible as a result of COVID-19, businesses across the country are quickly having to establish a new norm, says digital supply chain specialist SupplyCompass.Sock factory. © SupplyCompass.“Technology and team management tools are becoming crucial in order to maintain some level of ‘business as usual’ – but are companies digitally prepared enough in these uncertain times?” the London based outfit

As the situation comesunder control in China, the Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo opens most of its stores located in the country.Image Courtesy: fastretailing.comPeople return to their work as the situation getsbetter in China and South Korea;however condition is still worse in USA and Italy.Fast Retailing, which owns the brand,had closed about 350 of its casual clothing stores and some partner factories in China a month ago.Out of 750 Uniqlo stores in China, 30 stores that are located in

E-commerce major Amazon announced that it would hire an additional 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States in order to deal with a huge surge in online ordersin the wake of Coronavirus outbreak.Image Courtesy: techcrunch.comAmazon is looking to add extra full-time and part-time positions for warehouse and delivery workers. It will raise pay for these employees by US $ 2 per hour in the US, £ 2 per hour in the UK and approximately € 2 per hour in many EU countries, through the

The founder of UK-based outdoor group Mountain Warehouse has urged the government in London to take immediate action to help companies facing difficulties because of the coronavirus outbreak.Speaking to the BBC on March 17, Mark Neale, who launched the group in 1997, said: “Things are nothing short of catastrophic. Last week we were having meetings about expansion, growth and recruitment. Now, sales have evaporated and we are in a battle for survival.”He said Mountain Warehouse, which makes many

SHANGHAI - Cellulosic fibre producer Sateri is claiming a breakthrough by successfully producing viscose fibre regenerated from textile waste on a commercial production line.The new fibre uses a mix of dissolving pulp made from recycled post-consumer textile waste by Swedish company Södra, and other PEFC-certified wood pulp.Sateri, which claims to be the world’s largest producer of viscose, successfully trialled the fibre on a production line at the company's Linz Nanjng yarn spinning mill i