Textile Insight

IN THE MARKET | ECO UPDATE Changing Mindsets 12 • Textile Insight ~ November/December 2017 textileinsight.com Recent Industry Sustainability Developments & Initiatives. Consumers are learning that their textile buying decisions impact not only their families but also their communities and beyond, research by Oeko-Tex reveals. Oeko-Tex Shares Results of Consumer Textile Sustainability Study Findings from the global research study Oeko-Tex commissioned to assess consumer attitudes reveal that the more people learn about harmful environmental impacts the more likely they are to be committed to living a sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, people who get on a sustainability path continue to take small steps in that direction and don't retrench. Entitled "The Key to Confidence: Consumers and Textile Sustainability—Attitudes, Changing Behaviors, and Outlooks," the massive study of more than 11,000 clothing and home textile consumers around the world examined topics ranging from concerns about climate change to harmful substances in textiles. "As long-time leaders in textile sustainability, we felt that this unique global study to quantify consumer attitudes about textile sustainability was a fitting trib- ute to our past twenty-five years as well as a worthy undertaking to prepare us to succeed in the next," says Anna Czerwinska, head of marketing/communication at Oeko-Tex. Consumer products researcher, Ellen Karp and her company, Anerca International, conducted the project. "The quantitative findings derived through The Key to Confidence study should serve as a call to action for the textile industry," says Karp. "Consumers are fast learn- ing that their textile buying decisions impact not only their families but also their communities and beyond. Brands, retailers, and manufacturers need to be ready for this awakening. It is definitely coming." The survey showed that textiles are catching up with food, home care/cleaning products, cosmetics and other personal care products in terms of consumer interest. The gap between how consumers view buying eco- friendly products is closing when it comes to textiles. Mindsets are changing, and business and certifiers have a role to play. "More and more consumers want information and want to live a better textile life," states Karp. DuPont Teams with Unifi on Eco-Friendly Apparel Insulation A recent collaboration between materials suppliers DuPont Industrial Biosciences and Unifi ups the sustain- ability factor for cold-weather clothing insulation. The new, renewably sourced fiber blend offers a roster of benefits including softness, durability and shape reten- tion. The partnership brings together unique product offerings, combining DuPont Sorona polymer made from 37 percent renewable plant-based ingredients, and Unifi's Repreve recycled polyester. "This collaboration will give customers the freedom to choose a new type of garment insulation – one that is better for the environment without compromising performance," said Ning Hongjun, president Unifi Asia Pacific. Michael Saltzberg, global business director for Biomaterials at DuPont, adds, "The new insulation's unique warmth and durability will bring customers streamlined outerwear, made from eco-friendly materials, while maintaining maximum warmth and breathability." Cotton Incorporated Names Chief Sustainability Officer From agriculture to retail, companies across the globe are working to reduce environmental impacts, as sus- tainability continues to be a major focus in businesses across all industries. Cotton Incorporated extends its commitment to sustainability of cotton across the supply chain by appointing Dr. Jesse Daystar, vice president and Chief Sustainability Officer. "Dr. Daystar brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this newly created role, which will oversee and coordi- nate our internal and external sustainability efforts," says Berrye Worsham, president and CEO, Cotton Incorporated. "As our company's sustainability programs continue to gain momentum, Dr. Daystar will be a valuable resource for the company and the cotton industry." Daystar's experience includes sustainable chemical process development and efficiency management pro- gram development with the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Mead WestVaco, Pesco-Beam Environmental Solutions, and Kemira Chemical. Before joining Cotton Incorporated, he held the position of assistant director at the Duke Center for Sustainability and Commerce at Duke University, where he also taught. He earned a doctorate in forest biomaterials from North Carolina State University. O Results of the Oeko-Tex Study: 60% of global consumers want to know if their clothing and home textiles are certified to be safe from harmful substances and are responsibly produced 4 in 10 people globally are concerned about harmful substances in clothes and home textiles; Textiles are catching up with food (59% are concerned), home care/ cleaning products (50%) or cosmetics (53%), and other personal care products (49%) About 4 in 10 consumers "Like to know the values and principles of brands of clothing they buy"

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