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Textile Outlook International
Issue 132:
November-December 2007

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Reports in this issue
Editorial: How Green Is Our Clothing? (3 pages)
World Trade in T-Shirts (22 pages)
Trends in world textile and clothing trade, November-December 2007 (63 pages)
World markets for textile machinery: part 3 -- finishing, November-December 2007 (23 pages)
Green Textiles and Apparel: Environmental Impact and Strategies for Improvement (22 pages)
Innovations in fibres, textiles, apparel and machinery, November-December 2007 (23 pages)

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Green Textiles and Apparel: Environmental Impact and Strategies for Improvement

Buy 'Green Textiles and Apparel: Environmental Impact and Strategies for Improvement' now 22 pages, published in Issue 132, November-December 2007  
Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00  


Environmental issues arise at all stages of the textile and apparel supply chain. The expansion of textile production and consumption has contributed to increasing pollution, water shortages, fossil fuel and raw material depletion, and climate change. Production of polyester fibre, the most widely used man-made fibre, consumes non-renewable resources and high energy levels, and generates atmospheric emissions. Modern automated textile plants consume large amounts of energy. Textile finishing consumes large amounts of water and energy and often produces harmful effluent. Apparel production is more environmentally friendly, but sourcing from low cost countries consumes more fuel for transportation. Among consumers, the trend towards fast fashion and cheaper clothing has led to a throw-away mentality.

Environmental issues are being addressed, however. Although recycling activity remains at a low level—for economic and quality reasons—Marks & Spencer and others are promoting recycling schemes. Some retailers are also voluntarily attaching “eco-labels” to garments to provide environmental information. Although these have met with varying levels of success in the marketplace, they can encourage “best practice” in manufacturing. Some labelling schemes, such as the EU Ecolabel Scheme and its associated flower logo, adopt a full life cycle or “cradle to grave” approach while others, such as Öko-Tex, focus on a single aspect of an item such as its environmental attributes, social attributes, or individual phases of its life cycle. Other initiatives include REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) legislation which aims to encourage safe and eco-friendly chemical production. In the USA the Toxic Substances Control Act (TCSA) enables the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to track industrial chemicals produced in or imported into the country. Some man-made fibres, such as Lenzing’s lyocell fibre Tencel, have a minimal impact on the environment. Also, organic cotton production is growing rapidly but still accounts for only a small fraction of global cotton output. Nonetheless, organic cotton is being adopted by high profile companies such as C&A, Coop, Nike, Wal-Mart, and Woolworths. And a growing number of brand and manufacturing companies are pursuing environmentally friendly strategies. Such companies include American Apparel, Gap, Interface, Patagonia, and Wal-Mart in the USA as well as Rohner Textil in Switzerland, and a small knitwear company in India, MaHan, which was founded by an exteacher from the Netherlands.

Table of Contents
Green Textiles and Apparel: Environmental Impact and Strategies for Improvement
  • Summary
  • Impact of the Textile and Apparel Supply Chain on the Environment
  • Voluntary Eco-Labels and Other Green Initiatives
  • Regulations and Mandatory Labelling
  • The Shift to Organic Cotton
  • Selected Green Strategies Implemented by Leading Textile and Apparel Companies
  • Outlook

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Product Overview   

Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of intelligence, expert analysis and insight on the global textile and clothing industry.
What's in it?

Each issue provides an authoritative source of information on key industry topics, including: circularity; cotton; environmental sustainability; fibre prices; innovation; production and consumption forecasts; imports and exports; industry giants and emerging brands; international trade fairs; key geographical markets; recommerce; retail; supply chains; textile and clothing trade; textile machinery; trade and production trends; world markets; and yarn and fabric manufacturing.

A single issue of Textile Outlook International includes:

    an editorial think-piece on a topical issue from an industry expert

    a report on textile and apparel trade and production trends

    a round-up of the latest international trade fairs

    a feature on textile and clothing imports and exports or fibre prices, production and consumption

    a report on a key geographical market

    insight and analysis of a key market leader or fast-growing start-up

An annual subscription to Textile Outlook International is a cost-effective way to keep informed about trends and developments in the global textile and clothing industry.

Subscriptions are available in printed and/or digital formats. Printed and digital subscribers receive each issue in printed format in addition to a digital PDF file, which is available immediately on publication.

Like all Textiles Intelligence publications, Textile Outlook International is a reliable source of independently sourced business information, and it does not carry advertising.

This is what our customers say:
"Ten years ago while working in the UK, I discovered Textile Outlook International. Since then, while working in the United States and now in Italy, I have relied upon this publication to support many of my strategic sourcing decisions. Textiles Intelligence has created a world-class publication that I will continue to depend upon in my work with the global textile industry."
(Peter G Allison; Vice President, Mediterranean Sourcing; Gap Inc.)