Companies push for more sustainable finishing technologies

February 24, 2017  |  EcoNote

HeiQ and Patagonia have formed an exclusive research partnership to explore sustainable textile finishing technologies to achieve breathable and durable water repellence (DWR). HeiQ reports that recent studies quantify the hazardous effects of perfluorinated chemistries (PFCs) on human health and th…
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Arc’teryx withdraws from Outdoor Retailer show

February 22, 2017  |  EcoNote

Arc’teryx, a company with a history of supporting the preservation of wild spaces, has announced its withdrawal from Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, Utah, due to the state’s efforts to rescind protection of Bears Ears National Monument and other public lands. The company’s announcement sta…
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Lenzing fibres receive USDA Biobased certification

February 21, 2017  |  EcoNote

Cellulosic fibre producer Lenzing has announced that its Viscose and Modal fibres have been granted the U.S. Dept. of Agiculture’s (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label. The company said that this means that all of its standard Lenzing fibres have now been verified as derived 100 percent from na…
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OEKO-TEX “zero discharge” program

January 31, 2017  |  EcoNote

OEKO-TEX announces that it has has joined the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme. OEKO-TEX supports the programme’s vision of “widespread implementation of sustainable chemistry and best practices in the textile and footwear industries to protect consumers, workers and the …
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Bolger & O’Hearn embraces solar energy

January 20, 2017  |  EcoNote

Specialty chemical developer Bolger & O’Hearn announces that it has recently installed solar panels at its Mass.-based headquarters. With an output of roughly 87kWh, the panels will convert sunlight into clean energy, providing more efficient, responsibly sourced power to its facilities and re…
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Thermore’s Ecodown approved by bluesign®

January 12, 2017  |  EcoNote

Thermore announced its Ecodown 100 percent recycled insulation is now bluesign® and Global Recycle Standard certified. On average, the use of Ecodown in a jacket means up to 10 PET bottles have been recycled. With the latest certification, all key Thermore product categories are bluesign approved. …
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Biosteel fibers certified for safety and biodegradability

January 11, 2017  |  EcoNote

AMSilk production and product development processes as well as the biological degradability of the company’s Biosteel fibers were confirmed. Biosteel fiber received certification from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Confidence in Textiles) for product class 1 by the Hohenstein Institute. Product class 1 te…
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ClearView Power™ provides transparent solar energy

January 6, 2017  |  EcoNote

Silicon Valley technology company Ubiquitous Energy has developed what it says is the world’s first truly transparent solar technology. As reported in Energy Harvesting Journal, ClearView Power™ transmits visible light and selectively absorbs non-visible light converting it to electricity. I…
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Recycling textiles is a gift to the Earth

January 3, 2017  |  EcoNote

According to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), more than 95 percent of all textiles can be recycled or reused in some way. While nearly half of what already is recycled is reused as apparel, the trade organization says, another 30 percent become wiping rags or polish…
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Sympatex to launch climate-neutral membrane

January 2, 2017  |  EcoNote

German textiles innovator Sympatex Technologies has announced it will introduce its “guaranteed green” membrane at ISPO Munich, an international sports-business expo, in February 2017. Sympatex’s new membrane is produced in a completely climate-neutral way for the first time, according to a co…
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