Textile Insight

IN THE MARKET | ECO UPDATE Resolutions In Responsibility 12 • Textile Insight ~ January/February 2018 textileinsight.com Brands Strengthen Sustainability Commitments as 2020 Looms. Burton Sets a High Bar for Sustainability Goals "As snowboarders and people who love the mountains and winter, we take climate change personally," said Donna Carpenter, CEO, Burton Snowboards, in a prepared statement. "Now more than ever, it's critical that we speak up and say climate change is real, and we can do something about it. At Burton, we make products so we can stay outside longer and enjoy the outdoors and the mountains. Unfortunately, that process has a cost to the environment, so it's up to us to really minimize that impact. And that's why we've set very aggressive goals for 2020." Here are a few of the highlights: • All Burton softgoods will use 100 percent bluesign-approved materials, 100 percent sustainable cotton, 50 percent recycled polyester, and will achieve 100 percent PFC-free durable water repellency. • 100 percent of Burton's factories will meet Fair Labor Association standards and achieve silver or higher internal standards on sustainability, quality, performance and delivery. • Carbon emissions from the manufacturing of all Burton hardgoods will be reduced by 20 percent by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) software as a tool. • The CO2e footprint at global headquarters will be reduced by 20 percent (a 300kW solar array is currently being installed). • 75 percent of waste from landfill at global headquarters will be diverted (the level is 67 percent currently). • An end-of-life program will be established at retail. "Disruption and leading innovation on the mountain has always been part of our DNA, and now we're seeing that through the lens of sustainability," said Carpenter. Denim Brand reDEW Re-Defines Green Jeans The Swedish denim brand reDEW is built on a model of sustainability. In addition to using 80 percent less water and chemicals, and 50 percent less energy in the dyeing, pre-treatment and manufacturing processes, reDEW donates 25 percent of profits annually to international wildlife conservation through the reDEW Earth Prize. The brand just announced the 2017 Earth Prize recipient — Painted Dogs Conservation — at a ceremony in Sweden last month, awarding 250,000 Swedish krona — about $28,000 U.S. dollars —to protect this endangered species. On the product side, a recent development from reDEW, in collaboration with denim manufacturer ISKO, is Zero Cotton jeans that are made without the environmental impacts of conventional cotton farming. The new Storm Jeans, for example, are made using 100 percent renewable fibers composed of the bio-based material viscose, lyocell and modal, in a mix with post- consumer (recycled) polyester and Lycra. The company's reDEW Labs is focused on research and development and close collaboration with suppliers committed to style, technology and sustainability. All products are designed with fit and feel in mind yet have reduced water and chemical usage throughout the supply chain. An example of these efforts is the partnership with Italian trim supplier Metalbottoni to developed the world's first fully non- galvanized button. Made from 100 percent copper to ensure the lowest environmental impact possible in metal buttons today. Another development is an exclusive color collaboration between reDEW Labs x ISKO x Archroma. The colorfast dye lasts up to 10 times longer with highly reduced environmental impact compared to traditional indigo and sulphur dye, which is toxic to both plants, animals, drinking water and ecosystems. reDEW Labs also advances sustainability with use of its Implode Surface Treatment. Instead of mechanical abrasion and chemicals to remove the top layer of indigo, exposing the un-dyed yarn to create a distressed look, this new technology adds a layer of contrast on top of the colorfast dye and affixes it with a laser. This treatment creates the desired worn-in look, but increases durability rather than degrading fabric strength. The Implode Surface Treatment also saves water, energy and chemicals compared to traditional pre-washing. The company's 4/1 fabric features a rugged surface reminiscent of Japanese shuttle loom denim fabric, yet the inside is extremely smooth and soft. This combination is possible thanks to its 4/1 construction, meaning there are four warp threads for every weft thread, compared to a 3/1 construction as seen in 99.9 percent of the world's denim today, according to the company. A touch of stretch adds comfort and fabric recovery. O reDEW Labs also advances sustainability with use of its Implode Surface Treatment. Instead of mechanical abrasion and chemicals to remove the top layer of indigo, exposing the un-dyed yarn to create a distressed look. The Women's Örn Jeans feature 360° stretch for a comfortable, flattering fit and are designed with a special polyester and cotton blended yarn in both the warp and weft that maintains shape wear after wear.

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