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If I have learned one thing while working in the textiles industry, it is that innovative solutions are in the making all the time. If this industry can figure out how to make a single fiber conductive, so that a shirt can monitor vital signs 24-7, it can figure out how to make itself a friendlier partner in the effort to preserve the environment for future generations.
The industry can; the bigger question is, “Will it?”
There is, however, no question that there are many, many industry participants who are committed to doing their part in making it a more sustainable manufacturing segment. But textiles are truly a global concern, and while some are – and have always been – leading the way towards a better environmental future, others do not show the same interest. Can they be persuaded to participate?
That’s one problem. Another is the logistics associated with advanced textile product requirements. As Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar points out in his feature, “Powering a more climate friendly future,” many high-tech textile products are petroleum-based synthetics of necessity. They may also have coatings that are crucial for the product to function as needed, or perhaps the textiles are part of a composite product, which cannot be disassembled in an economically feasible way.
The good news is that researchers are making progress in creating plant-based alternative synthetics that are more earth friendly and sometimes even have the potential for lower costs, when scaled up to commercial level production. New chemical formulations for coatings are also offering safer options. How quickly can they be ready for commercial use?
If you read “My Take” regularly on this site, you may also take note of our features and the many ancillary stories we run on “Eco Note,”that deal with sustainability issues. This is a reflection of what I see happening in the industry, and so I try to report on it accordingly. Too much? That is also a big question.
I believe that together we can bring more businesses to understand “circularity,” “closed loop” operations, and how setting sustainability goals can help a them flourish in the long-term. We can also do our part to keep end-consumers informed about our efforts, so they will want to be a part of this global movement. We are facing big questions. Bigger rewards await, but we need a commitment from everyone.
Janet Preus is senior editor of Textile Technology Source. She can be reached at janet.preus@textiles.org.