Designtex partners with Native Energy and Southern Plains Land Trust
September 22nd, 2020
In partnership with Native Energy and the Southern Plains Land Trust in Colorado, Designtex has balanced its 2020 operational footprint by investing in the Medford Spring Grasslands Conservation Project in southeastern Colorado. The investment helped the Trust to acquire 6,900 acres of shortgrass prairie in February 2020—land which otherwise would have been converted into cropland, […]
An evolutionary jacket, upcycled
May 1st, 2020
The first circular functional jacket made from used textiles could lead the way to a waste-free synthetic clothing industry. Comfortable and waterproof, it’s certified by OEKO-TEX® and bluesign® in line with the stringent STANDARD 110. Photos: Sympatex. In 2017, five European companies that committed to manufacturing textiles from 100 percent recycled materials teamed up to […]
Memory quilts from upcycled T-shirts
April 1st, 2020
Since 2012, Project Repat has made 400,000 quilts, which translates into 9.6 million upcycled T-shirts kept out of landfills. Photo: Project Repat. Sometimes, the idea for a new product comes about in an unexpected way. Take Project Repat, for example. Company cofounder Ross Lohr was stuck in a traffic jam in Nairobi, Kenya. After two […]
The Limitless Milk Shirt
April 1st, 2020
The Limitless Milk T-shirt saves an unlimited amount of resources. Every five shirts save one glass of milk from going to waste. Photo: Mi Terro. That memorable question, “Got milk?” takes on a whole new meaning in today’s technological marketplace. That’s because the Los Angeles-based startup Mi Terro is making the Limitless Milk Shirt, a […]
Vegan leather, beyond beLEAF™
November 1st, 2019
Leather made from leaves has the feel and texture of traditional leather while offering an environmentally sustainable option. Photos: Ricardo Perini. A material that looks and feels like leather is actually made from leaves. Natural and renewable, beLEAF™ is the creation of Nova Kaeru, a Brazilian company dedicated to developing ethical, sustainable and innovative products. The […]
The state of sustainability: textile companies work to give themselves an eco-friendly edge
October 1st, 2019
As climate change and pollution concerns remain at the forefront of public attention, textile companies work to give themselves an eco-friendly edge. by Jeff Moravec A decade ago in this magazine, the growing attention to sustainability in the textile supply chain was a hot topic. Guess what? It still is. This doesn’t mean the industry hasn’t […]
Mermet Corporation seeks to protect ecology, promote sustainability and improve communities
August 1st, 2019
By Paul Johnson Mermet Corporation was not content to create just any standard environmental stewardship program for the company. Instead, the Cowpens, S.C.-based innovative solar shade manufacturer went several steps further to create its Weaving Change initiative. The program is a broad-based movement that supports sound environmental textile manufacturing, resource conservation, environmental protection and charitable […]
YKK Group’s global commitment to efficiency and sustainability
April 1st, 2019
The YKK Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has implemented a bold and broad-based strategy for energy efficiency, reduced carbon output and sustainability. YKK’s green approach has substantially decreased the environmental impact of its 111 facilities operating in 73 countries and regions. But beyond the environmental benefits, these measures have also lowered operating costs, improved safety […]
Advancing sustainability in textiles
March 1st, 2019
Textiles are part of a larger drive to protect and preserve resources for the future. Sustainability may be understood as a way to judiciously consume resources while leaving or even enhancing the availability of resources for future generations. The term “sustainability” has developed a powerful vibe that affects our society in general and the business […]
Tropical greenhouse housed under ETFE dome
November 1st, 2018
Imagine entering a tropical utopia where the weather is always a perfect 82 degrees and a beautiful setting of flowers, lush greenery, ponds, waterfalls, butterflies, birds and other creatures awaits. This environment isn’t just a dream. Plans are in development to build the world’s largest tropical greenhouse under a single dome in the Pas-de-Calais area […]