Fast Track: Creating a Sustainable Performance Apparel Supply Chain

Public interest in sustainability issues has never been higher, and yet consumer demand for newness in fashion continues to fuel overconsumption and  a throw away  culture which results in large quantities of clothing ending up in landfill every year. Another pressing issue is the pollution of waterways by microfibres. Companies must be persuaded to take urgent action to resolve these and other environmental issues but, to achieve this quickly, legislation will have to be adopted throughout all regions of the world. Meanwhile, the industry must commit to educating consumers so that they are equipped to make environmentally sustainable choices.

It is also important to stress that sustainability involves the whole supply chain and not just individual links within it. In this report, Robin Anson analyses a number of complex issues which the industry faces in resolving sustainability issues. As well as microfibre pollution and landfill, these include: animal cruelty; transparency and traceability along the entire supply chain; the pros and cons of making products which last longer; and the importance of recycling and using bio-based products.

Also, the report includes a review of developments in technologies, fibres, yarns, fabrics, chemical dyes and finishes which contribute to environmental sustainability by companies which include Cocona, Flocus, Houdini Sportswear, Huntsman Textile Effects, Intrinsic Advanced Materials, Invista, Nano-Care, Polartec, Polygiene, Smart Innovation, Thermore, Unifi and X-Bionic.