Industry news
H&M to feature cactus leather in new collection
4 March 2021
Swedish fashion retailer H&M is to feature cactus leather as part of a new concept called Innovation Stories that showcases innovation, sustainable fabrications and design.
The first collection is Science Story, which introduces new materials such as EVO by Fulgar, a bio-based yarn derived from castor oil, and Desserto, which is a plant-based alternative to leather, produced from cactus plants. The material is made from the dried leaves of the Nopal cactus, also known as the prickly pear, and can be produced in a large variety of colours, thicknesses and textures.
2 March 2021
Ralph Lauren launches clothing rental service
Luxury brand Ralph Lauren has launched its first subscription apparel rental initiative, offering a monthly membership from $125 with unlimited swaps and complimentary shipping.
The Lauren Look is available across the company's Lauren Ralph Lauren lifestyle brand in the US, offering members access to a selection of dresses, trousers and tops as well as suggestions from expert stylists on how to wear them. When they are no longer wanted, they can be replaced with new pieces or purchased at exclusive member prices.
When the items reach their rental cap, the company will donate them to Delivering Good, a non-profit benefitting at-risk families and children.
25 February 2021
John Lewis funds project to protect Mongolia cashmere
Department store retailer John Lewis & Partners is to fund a three-year programme in Inner Mongolia in a bid to safeguard the future of the cashmere sector.
The initiative is run by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) and will expand its new Cashmere Standard to the region, promoting best practice in land management, animal welfare, fibre processing and supply chain transparency. John Lewis is funding the training of 420 herders.
"It's very important that all of the raw materials in our products are sourced in a way that's good for the animals, land and people involved in their production," says Marija Rompani, partner and director of ethics and sustainability for the John Lewis Partnership. "We have committed to ensuring all key raw materials in our own-brand products will be from sustainable or recycled sources by 2025.”
12 February 2021
M&S sets new sustainability standards for denim
Marks & Spencer has launched the first denim range to meet its new sustainability standards, with all products made using responsibly sourced cotton, less water, and more sustainable indigo dyes.
The retailer sells one in ten pairs of jeans bought across the UK, and says the new standards are part of its wider approach to sustainable clothing. They focus on three key aspects of denim manufacturing from sourcing to finishing: using 100% responsibly sourced cotton, with the majority through the Better Cotton Initiative; saving an average of 86% of water per pair of jeans compared to the industry standard thanks to new denim finishing technologies; and switching standard indigo dyes with cleaner alternatives that require less water and chemicals to produce.
12 February 2021
More suppliers join effort to improve purchasing practices
Asian manufacturer associations are joining forces to drive better purchasing practices in the textile and garment industry.
The 'Manufacturers Payment and Delivery Terms' initiative from the STAR Network, an inter-Asia Network of Producer Associations, aims to establish a common position on payment and delivery terms. This includes certain red lines and core principles essential for fair legitimate business.
Members represent roughly two-thirds of global apparel and footwear factory exports, including key supplier countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia and Morocco.
In brief
Eni completes acquisition of stake in Dogger Bank A and B wind farms
Eni has completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in the first two phases of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea for £206.4m ($287.3m).
Neoen reaches financial close for 300MW Australian battery facility
Neoen has reached the financial close of the Victorian Big Battery project, a 300MW/450MWh energy storage facility in Australia.
Southern Power Generation’s Track 4A plant begins operations in Malaysia
Southern Power Generation’s 1.44GW Track 4A Power Plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia has started commercial operations.
Total farms down solar and wind portfolio in stake sale in France
The renewable generation subsidiary of oil giant Total has agreed to sell half of its equity stake in several solar and wind farms to two French financiers.
Scatec and Nizam Energy close financing for solar plant in Pakistan
Renewable developer Scatec and local partner Nizam Energy have secured a $100m financial closure for a solar project in Pakistan.
In brief
Eni completes acquisition of stake in Dogger Bank A and B wind farms
Eni has completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in the first two phases of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea for £206.4m ($287.3m).
Neoen reaches financial close for 300MW Australian battery facility
Neoen has reached the financial close of the Victorian Big Battery project, a 300MW/450MWh energy storage facility in Australia.
Southern Power Generation’s Track 4A plant begins operations in Malaysia
Southern Power Generation’s 1.44GW Track 4A Power Plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia has started commercial operations.
Total farms down solar and wind portfolio in stake sale in France
The renewable generation subsidiary of oil giant Total has agreed to sell half of its equity stake in several solar and wind farms to two French financiers.
Scatec and Nizam Energy close financing for solar plant in Pakistan
Renewable developer Scatec and local partner Nizam Energy have secured a $100m financial closure for a solar project in Pakistan.
3 March 2021
Brands urged to honour Myanmar supplier commitments
Apparel industry associations and human rights groups have joined forces to condemn the military coup and growing violence in Myanmar – and to urge companies sourcing from the Southeast Asian country to honour all existing factory orders.
Garment, footwear and accessories account for one-third of Myanmar's total exports, more than tripling since 2016 to reach US$5.8bn. The sector’s nearly 600 factories employ around 500,000 workers.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), ETI Sweden, the Ethical Trading Initiative, and the Fair Labor Association are among groups warning the coup creates uncertainty that has already begun to impact factory and cargo operations. They add the ongoing disruptions and potential for further international sanctions may prompt a re-evaluation of Myanmar as a stable sourcing partner.
Separately, retailers and brands accounting for around 40% of Myanmar's garment exports – including C&A, H&M Group and Inditex – have expressed deep concerns over the situation in the country.
10 February 2021
‘Made in Bangladesh’ may soon be more sustainable
H&M Group, Marks & Spencer and C&A are among more than 30 brands, manufacturers and recyclers taking part in a new project to reuse textile waste in Bangladesh.
The scheme is spearheaded by Swedish nonprofit the Global Fashion Agenda, and brings together many industry players with a goal of making Bangladesh a leader in apparel recycling. The idea is to develop new systems that can capture and direct post-production fashion waste back into the manufacture of new fashion products. It also hopes to find solutions for the Covid-19 related pile-up of deadstock. There are plans to replicate the initiative in other countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
Credit: Reverse Resources
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