Global Fiber Congress embraces sustainability and the entrepreneurial spirit
Under the backdrop of climate change and environmental pollution, the fiber industry has become a major focal point for the textile and nonwoven industries, as well as along the entire value chain, from sourcing of raw materials through to the manufacture of apparel and technical products. This year’s Global Fiber Congress held in September in …
Are natural fibers poised for a comeback?
It feels like synthetic fibers are under siege. The fabrics used to manufacture a major part of the world’s clothing have been shown to shed microfibers that, when laundered, end up polluting the marine environment. As much as 35 percent of microplastics in the world’s oceans are fibers from synthetic clothing – and this amount …
Enhanced occupational safety drives protective textiles market
By Geoff Fisher, European Editor
The second half of the 20th century saw a dramatic increase in the need for personal protection. The rise of health and safety requirements in the workplace has required the use of protective apparel for workers in many industries, while the threat of chemical and biological terrorist attacks, as well as natural pandemics, have become key political issues.
Marine litter and microplastics – problem or opportunity?
Synthetic fibers have taken a bashing in recent months, with numerous press reports suggesting much of the world’s drinking water is contaminated with plastic particles and that washing synthetic clothing could damage marine health.
With such headlines as: “Plastic fibres found in tap water around the world, study reveals”, “If you’re drinking tap water, you’re consuming plastic pollutants”, “Just how much plastic is ending up in our shellfish?”, “Plastic being ingested by fish and humans” and “Is your fleece killing marine life?”
European fiber producers told to ‘raise the bar’
Faced with less-than-positive press reports and potentially damaging studies from non-governmental organizations, the European manmade fiber industry has been challenged to raise its game and take the lead in efforts to produce fibers responsibly and sustainably.
The take-home message from the 56th Dornbirn Man-Made Fibers Congress is that innovation is key for the industry and all producers have to work together in partnership along the whole supply chain in a world that is becoming increasingly digital and driven by the