Textile Insight

highlight is a notable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions driven in part by the company's Maydown, Northern Ireland site converting its purchased electricity to renewable sources through Energy Attribution Certificates (EACs). ree manufacturing sites achieved third-party verified top-quartile performance in the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), with two achieving the same level in the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM). Additionally, successful collaborations launched with industry partners on the leading edge of material science. In the pursuit of replacing petroleum-based raw materials, e Lycra Company has en- tered a partnership with Qore, a joint venture between Cargill and HELM, allowing the company to produce at scale a Lycra fiber made from 70 percent renewable sources. "Sustainability is really a collective effort," said Julien Born, e Lycra Company CEO in a promotional video on the company's website. "is kind of partnership is what brands and retailers are looking for." Lycra fiber is made with Qore's branded Qira, a renewable Iowa field corn product. e bio-derived Qira will be converted into PTMEG, the key ingredient used in Lycra fiber, and will be available in large scale quantities in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the companies. e Lycra Company is also collaborating with HeiQ this year, and have jointly intro- duced Lycra naturalFX technology, a coating that can be applied to 100 percent cotton fabrics and garments for a so hand feel and added shape retention. e company is also now the exclusive global distributor for HeiQ AeoniQ fiber, a high-performance cellulose with the potential to be carbon negative. CovationBio, known for its Sorona, Susterra and Zemea product lines, along with the company's supply chain partners, are reaping environmental benefits from regenerative practices and farm-to-finished product in- novation strategies. These efforts were showcased in a hands-on field day that took place in the heart of America's Corn Belt this summer hosted by CovationBio CEO Dr. Michael Saltzberg, Primient chief sales officer Chris Guild, Truterra president Tom Ryan, and Kelly Garrett, a local farmer at Garrett Land & Cattle and co-founder of XtremeAg.farm. "is is the first time we've had the chance to gather our value chain partners where our bio- based production begins—literally in a corn field," said Saltzberg. "We wanted everyone to experience the win-win that we are creating by helping to replace fossil fuel-based materials with a plant-based alternative that is not only a renewable resource, but that also is being produced in a way that helps capture carbon from the atmosphere. at type of circularity is an excellent example of how we are doing our part to fight climate change." Ryan remarked, "Attendees saw first-hand how we're bridging the gap between farmers and companies with sustainability goals who choose agriculture to be a part of their tool- kit of solutions," said Ryan. "I look forward to our continued work together to advance supply chain sustainability and scale on-farm practice change." Truterra, LLC, is the sustainability business of Land O'Lakes, Inc., specializing in cre- ative solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Primient's sustainable agriculture program with Truterra began in 2018 and currently includes over 1.2 million acres of sustainably grown row crops in the U.S. Midwest. Strides in Sustainability Eastman's eco efforts range from brand partner collaboration to new facilities. Joy Gruver, biz development manager Fibers Division shared news of Patagonia's new collection of super-so performance shirts made from a versatile blend of Naia Renew staple fiber and recycled polyester. Naia Renew fibers are produced from renewable wood pulp and recycled waste materials. Product includes a men's Short-Sleeved Capilene Cool Trail shirt and women's Capilene Cool Trail shirts in three styles. All feature moisture-wicking performance and comfort stretch. "ese tops are perfect for outdoor activities and all-day wear," said Gruver. According to Eastman information, over 260 million metric tons of plastic are being thrown away and only 12 percent of that waste is currently being recycled. Eastman's molecular recycling technology transforms hard-to-recycle plastics into new materials, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and creating value from waste. At its first methanolysis facility, currently under construction at the company's corporate headquarters and Kingsport, TN manufac- turing site, Eastman will be able to accept plastic waste that today oen ends up in the environment and will convert this waste into brand new materials with recycled content. e Kingsport facility will use more than 100,000 metric tons of plastic waste every year that can't be recycled by traditional methods. e facility is expected to be completed later this year. is is the first of three planned meth- anolysis facilities. Earlier this year, Herve Morin, president of the Normandy region of France traveled to Eastman offices. Plans are in the works for a methanolysis facility to be constructed in Normandy, France, that is expected to be operational in 2026. n 28 • Textile Insight ~ Fall 2023 textileinsight.com PLANET-POSITIVE PROGRESS TODAY'S TEXTILE LEADERSHIP IS REALIZING THAT A COLLECTIVE EFFORT IS CRITICAL TO REACHING SUSTAINABILITY GOALS.

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