Textile Exchange news and archive

Marks & Spencer reverses ban on alpaca wool

British department store giant Marks & Spencer has made a U-turn on its decision to ban alpaca wool from its offering despite possible backlash from animal activists. The retailer reportedly confirmed the move to The Telegraph, stating that the reversal came alongside the introduction of Textile Exchange’s Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS),...

BusinessFeatured

Digital Product Passport: new guide by TrusTrace unlocks the Why, What and How

“I got into fashion because I love numbers and data …” said nobody, ever, as pointed out by the new digital product passport (DPP) playbook, launched by TrusTrace, a platform for supply chain traceability and compliance, and written by about a dozen subject matter experts. However, the European Parliament adopted the Ecodesign for Sustainable...

Business

Textile Exchange urges industry to find alternatives for existing synthetics

In its latest report, ‘The Future of Synthetics’, non-profit Textile Exchange has issued a call on the industry to reevaluate its relationship with synthetic fibres and textiles, while cautioning suppliers on a potentially overbearing reliance on raw materials. While the organisation is urging fashion to eliminate the use of new virgin, fossil...

Fashion Featured

Textile Exchange releases 2023 Materials Benchmark report

Global non-profit Textile Exchange has unveiled its 2023 Materials Benchmark reports, which shows the advancements made by both brands and suppliers in sourcing more sustainable materials. With 394 participating brands and retailers, as well as 52 suppliers and manufacturers, Textile Exchange's Materials Benchmark stands as the fashion, textile,...

Business

PETA doubles down on RDS certifications, files watchdog complaint

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has doubled down on its efforts to address the evidence of animal cruelty it is said to have found among suppliers of the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Responsible Animal Fiber (RAF). The organisation submitted a formal complaint to the US’ federal Competition Bureau alleging that the...

Fashion

Textile Exchange launches Growing Hemp for the Future report

In a new report titled "Growing Hemp for the Future: A Global Fiber Guide," Textile Exchange sheds light on the unique potential to establish beneficial production systems for fiber hemp. As the global textile industry increasingly embraces hemp following its recent legalization in many countries, the report aims to identify the advantages and...

Fashion |Report

Fashion's greenhouse gas emissions back to pre-pandemic levels

Fashion companies are increasingly reporting one or more “circular business-related activities” and growth in recycled materials, but consumption is back to pre-pandemic levels, as are greenhouse gas emissions. In an annual report published by the Textile Exchange, the Material Change Insights 2022 report says transformational change is needed...

Business

Brands attempt to cover tracks following PETA investigation into down suppliers

Following an investigation into Vietnam-based down suppliers, a number of retailers have reportedly attempted to cover their tracks and remove any links to producers of the material. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) unveiled its findings from its investigation into Vietnamese farms and slaughterhouses last month, revealing...

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Google partners with Stella McCartney on responsible sourcing platform

Google has launched its Global Fibre Impact Explorer (GFIE), created as a tool to provide companies with data needed to make responsible sourcing decisions. The programme was developed in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and a number of fashion retailers and organisations, to facilitate its relevancy to the industry. The...

Fairs

Textile Exchange reveals winners of Ryan Young Climate+ Awards

Nonprofit Textile Exchange has announced the winners of its inaugural Ryan Young Climate+ Awards, honouring five sustainable textile industry leaders, recognised for their work in organic, recycled and regenerative solutions. Each recipient has been acknowledged for their role in driving progress towards Textile Exchange’s Climate+ Strategy goal...

Business

Textile Exchange releases new Responsible Mohair Standard

The Textile Exchange has announced the release of a new Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS), which is based on and closely aligned with the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), announced in 2016 and recently underwent its first revision. Both standards are structured around the Textile Exchange Animal Welfare Framework, which sets out the principles...

FairsFeatured

Why synthetics must be part of the sustainability movement

Céleste Lilore, Director of Industry Engagement for Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization focused on accelerating sustainability in the Textile Value Chain, made the case for synthetics at the recent Texworld event. To companies looking to make improvements in this volatile and quickly evolving environment, Lilore recommends what she calls...