Making the rounds

October 19, 2015  |  EcoNote

Textile waste is gaining new life through closed-loop processes, creating more products (and some profits) in more industries. Forty-five years ago, Kermit (the frog) lamented, “It’s not easy bein’ green.” Environmentally speaking, it still may not be easy, but it’s becoming less difficult…
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Desso receives Cradle to Cradle® gold certification

October 15, 2015  |  EcoNote

Carpet maker Desso of Waalwijk, Netherlands, is the first carpet manufacturer to be recognized with a Cradle to Cradle® gold certification. The line will be released in October. The new Gold Collection comes standard with an EcoBase™ backing that contains upcycled re-engineered calcium carbonate …
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Textile Exchange releases sustainability benchmarking report

October 9, 2015  |  EcoNote

The nonprofit is leading an effort to encourage collaboration in sustainable practices. Textile Exchange, a global nonprofit organization that works to accelerate sustainable practices in the textile industry, has announced the findings of a comprehensive benchmarking report that measures the progre…
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Schoeller-works, DutchSpirit launch sustainable workwear

October 2, 2015  |  EcoNote

Swiss textiles maker schoeller-works has teamed with DutchSpirit of the Netherlands to introduce Inspire, a 100 percent recyclable workwear line. Inspire textiles consist entirely of polyester fibers with a look and feel similar to cotton, but their manufacture requires less water, land and energy c…
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European committee decides on PFOA restriction

September 18, 2015  |  EcoNote

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has backed proposals by Norway and Germany to restrict the manufacture, marketing and use of PFOA, (pentadecafluorooctanoic acid) its salts and PFOA-related substances, as well as articles and mixtures containing these substances. A byproduct of perfluorocarbons,…
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Noble Biomaterials’ XT2 receives bluesign® certification

September 10, 2015  |  EcoNote

Noble Biomaterials, manufacturer of antimicrobial and anti-odor technologies for performance fabrics, has received bluesign® certification for its XT2(TM) technology, meeting requirements for durability, adherence, efficacy and low human toxicity, among other quality and safety performance measures…
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ITMA names Sustainable Innovation Award finalists

September 4, 2015  |  EcoNote

CEMATEX (European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers) has announced six finalists among its 30 entries for two ITMA Sustainable Innovation Awards: the Industry Excellence Award and the Research and Innovation (R&I) Excellence Award. The new awards program is part of a continuing effort…
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Autonomous sailing vessel to cross the Atlantic

August 31, 2015  |  EcoNote

“MARS” is not headed to the red planet, although it is unmanned. This vessel is headed across the Atlantic Ocean, powered exclusively by solar technology. The Mayflower Autonomous Research Ship (MARS) is a sailing vessel designed by Shuttleworth Design for unlimited range. Carrying a variety of …
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UltraTech introduces multirepellent EverShield

August 28, 2015  |  EcoNote

Jacksonville, Fla.-based spill-containment specialist UltraTech International Inc. has added EverShield to its product line. The fabric protection establishes a polymer coating that encases each fiber of the material, increasing durability. The coating—which deflects water, food, oil and more—ma…
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Aquafil, Speedo to recycle swimwear fabric

August 21, 2015  |  EcoNote

Italian yarn company Aquafil has partnered with Speedo USA to recycle the latter’s swimwear scrap material into Econyl nylon. Speedo’s PowerFLEX Eco swimwear will be made from the nylon 6, creating a closed-loop manufacturing partnership between the two companies. In the swimwear industry, post-…
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