With the rise in demand for sustainable and organic products, several textile and apparel firms are focusing on ethical production process which covers a range of issues such as working conditions, child labor, fair trade and ethical production. In a conversation with fibre2fashion, textile manufacturers share their views about sustainable textile value chain.
Mr. Siegfried Winkelbeiner, chief operating officer of Schoeller Textil, says, “The issue of ecological compatibility is an integral element in each development of the textile value chain. Innovation in product design and innovation in sustainability go hand-in-hand across the entire textile production chain.”
“As a Swiss textile producer, we are aware of our responsibility towards humans and the environment as well as the legacy we are leaving for future generations. Numerous environment-relevant investments were made for the screening, which contributed to the modernization of the company and are still preserving valuable resources on a day-to-day basis,” he adds.
According to Mr. Richard Jones, vice president of investor relations at Indorama Ventures, the three major areas for sustainable textile production are environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and social sustainability.
“We have long realized that it is only through the sustainability of our environment, including stakeholders and society as a whole, we will prosper and continue to grow. We therefore focus tightly on responding to our consumer’s demands for products that are recyclable and economically viable,” he informs.
In a similar vein, Ms. Suzanne Kerpel, marketing director of Zensah, says, “As a manufacturer, it is important to produce products in ways that are environmentally, socially and economically viable. One approach we take is to manufacture and distribute in the US, our main market. By doing so, we reduce fuel use and wastage in transporting products from multiple locations.”
“We also use seamless manufacturing, which reduces material waste by 20 percent compared to traditional cut-and-few production methods. Seeking out new technologies such as seamless is a valuable way to ensure sustainable production,” she concludes.
As the consumers have become more aware of the importance of ethical products, several leading textile firms and clothing brands are adopting sustainable production chain.
