From the Sector

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemicals company, has been ranked first globally with a green card in ChemScore 2025, the internationally recognized benchmark developed by ChemSec, assessing the environmental performance and chemical management of the world’s 40 largest chemical companies. The company has consistently found itself in the top three ChemScore companies and scored twice as high on average as the Asia-based companies taken together. The achievement reaffirms Indorama Ventures’ commitment to balancing business resilience with environmental and social responsibility.

ChemScore is widely used by global investors, regulatory bodies, and multinational brand owners to evaluate companies across four key pillars: responsible chemical management, development of safer and more sustainable alternatives, transparency and disclosure, and long-term stewardship across the value chain. The ranking was developed by ChemSec, an independent non-profit organization that advocates for substitution of toxic chemicals to safer alternatives. In the 2025 assessment, Indorama Ventures earned 57 out of 100 points and received a green card, including 12/25 in Transparency, 23/25 in Phase-out of Persistent Chemicals, 13/25 in Product Portfolio, and 9/25 in Safer Solutions.

Indorama Ventures is recognized by ChemSec for applying the Substitute It Now (SIN) List to systematically eliminate hazardous substances, accelerate safer alternatives, and expand bio-based and hazard-free recycled feedstocks. This approach places the company ahead of tightening global regulatory requirements, including emerging EU and U.S. restrictions on persistent chemicals, and aligns with rising demand for safer, traceable materials across consumer goods, automotive, health and hygiene, and industrial sectors.

An EU-wide targeted enforcement project checking imported substances found that one out of three of substances in mixtures was missing a REACH registration. In addition, restricted hazardous substances were present in some of the imported consumer products above the allowed limits.

Inspectors in 29 EEA countries performed 2 603 targeted controls to check imports for compliance with the registration, restrictions and authorisation requirements of the EU chemicals legislation REACH. 

Enforcement actions and recommendations  
Henrik Hedlund, Chair of the Enforcement Forum’s working group, said:
“Many inspections were conducted in cooperation with customs and national enforcement authorities, helping us to develop the most appropriate methods for controlling compliance of imported products with EU chemicals legislation. This will strengthen future controls and make them more efficient.

“Through such coordinated enforcement, we protect health and the environment by preventing non-compliant products from entering the EEA market. This also helps to safeguard the European single market from unfair competition, contributing to a level playing field for companies.”

Results of the project show the importance of a well-informed and well-designed sampling and targeting strategy for performing enforcement activities. The results also show that importers need to become aware of REACH duties before imports take place. They should acquire analytical reports or other evidence proving compliance with REACH. These and other recommendations are available in the report.

Almost all detected non-compliant products checked before the release for free circulation were either not allowed to enter the EEA market or allowed to enter only after corrective measures were taken. 

Registration requirements
When checking substances and mixtures for compliance with registration requirements, inspectors found that one out of three of the checked substances in mixtures was missing the required registration. For substances imported on their own, registration was missing in 7% of the cases. These non-compliance rates are higher than what has been detected in past projects. 
The Forum found that importers of mixtures containing unregistered substances often did not know what substances they were placing on the market. 
  
Restriction requirements
Inspectors also checked over 1,300 imported mixtures and consumer products for compliance with REACH restriction requirements. They found that 16% contained restricted hazardous substances breaching the conditions of the restriction – for example, the substance was present above the allowed concentration, which entails risk to human health. Most controls were on imported jewellery, checking for the presence of nickel, cadmium and lead, but many controls targeted also toys and textiles. The Forum did not see improvement in jewellery compared to earlier findings. The results show that imported jewellery persistently contains restricted heavy metals, especially nickel.  

Enforcement authorities also checked REACH authorisation duties for imported substances of very high concern which are subject to authorisation. Inspectors checked 21 such cases, and authorisation was missing or expired in four cases. 
The controls in this project were targeted at products where non-compliance was expected to be found. Therefore, the results do not directly reflect the overall non-compliance rate of products imported to the EEA market.

Background
The aim of this enforcement project was to strengthen REACH controls on imports by developing and applying a systematic use of customs data from import declarations and enhancing cooperation between national REACH enforcement bodies and customs authorities. 

ECHA did not collect the information about individual inspected products, as the objective of these projects is to enforce compliance and harmonise controls rather than collect information on individual cases. National enforcement authorities have the full details of inspections completed

Fibre pollution is a growing threat to ecosystems. Yet, key knowledge gaps on the causes of fibre shedding and uncertainties around testing fibre loss have made it challenging for brands and manufacturers to take informed action.

To help close these gaps and advance the industry’s understanding about fibre fragmentation, Fashion for Good and The Microfibre Consortium launched “Behind the Break: Exploring Fibre Fragmentation” alongside key partners.  

Alongside the comprehensive report published in March, the project delivered a landmark study which tested three fabric archetypes (Cotton Knit, Polyester Knit, and Cotton Woven - Denim) across multiple laboratories and test methods using a controlled design of experiments. Key findings revealed:

• The differences and best use cases of existing methods used to measure fibre loss 
• Consistent fibre shedding trends across laboratories, with minimal sample contamination 
• Directional insights on key variables influencing fibre loss across each fabric archetype

For a detailed breakdown of the project approach, results, and next steps, access the full closing study.

Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) announced the launch of the Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye, a new initiative that aims to support the development of a circular textile system in the country by capturing and recycling post-industrial textile waste. Announced during Sustainability Talks Istanbul, the partnership is led by GFA in collaboration with national lead Rematters, supported by implementation partners Reverse Resources, Closed Loop Fashion, and Circle Economy Foundation and funded by H&M Foundation.

Set to commence in early 2026, the Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye aims to establish textile waste management systems within factories, enhance traceability through digital tools, and connect manufacturers with recyclers to ensure higher-value recovery of post-industrial textile waste. The programme will also provide supplier support on compliance with evolving policy frameworks and foster national collaboration to drive systemic change. GFA is now calling on brands producing in Türkiye to participate in the programme.

As one of the world’s leading apparel manufacturing hubs, Türkiye is uniquely positioned to scale textile-to-textile recycling due to its vertically integrated industry, proximity to the EU, and increasing regulatory pressure to reduce waste and emissions. The Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye will build on these strengths by developing scalable models for improved waste segregation, fibre-to-fibre recycling, and domestic recovery routes that reduce dependency on virgin materials and landfill.

The programme is part of the Global Circular Fashion Forum (GCFF), a wider initiative led by Global Fashion Agenda to advance post-industrial textile recycling through local partnerships in manufacturing regions. Building on successful implementation in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia, the Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye becomes the fourth national programme to deploy this model — which has already digitally traced over 21,000 tonnes of textile waste and connected more than 100 factories and 20 global brands to recycling partners across its programmes. The locally owned and led partnership in Türkiye will be customised to the regional context, while drawing on best practices from other countries. Throughout 2026, the Circular Fashion Partnership: Türkiye will engage stakeholders across the value chain via targeted activities including on-site waste management assessments, training and capacity building through a Train-the-Trainer model, recycling pitch sessions and matchmaking events, as well as roundtables and policy dialogues with key national actors. In doing so, the partnership aims to support Turkey in futureproofing its textile ecosystem, unlock economic value from waste, and contribute to a just, circular transition in one of the industry’s most influential sourcing regions.

RUDOLF, a leading provider of innovative specialty chemical solutions for textile, construction, coatings, and consumer care industries, has received one of the first Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Program certifications from TÜV SÜD based on the PACT Methodology V3: Methodology for Calculating and Exchanging Cradle-to-Gate Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs). In addition, the RUDOLF PCF Program is aligned with the global chemical sector-specific methodology: Together for Sustainability (TfS) PCF Guideline V3.

The certification applies to all chemical products covered by the RUDOLF PCF Program. This pioneering achievement not only confirms the methodological integrity but also demonstrates how reliable data can guide design-stage decisions, helping us and our partners identify realistic opportunities early in the development process and turning transparency into actionable impact across the value chain. We are committed to expanding the RUDOLF PCF program across our global operations, creating a solid foundation for meaningful change.

RUDOLF shares comparable PCF data as a service to customers, enabling brands to integrate carbon considerations into sourcing and innovation strategies. This approach fosters collaboration across the value chain and supports measurable progress toward climate objectives.

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, alongside fellow industry associations CIRFS (European Man-Made Fibres Association), EURATEX (The European Apparel and Textile Confederation), ESF (European Safety Federation), and EuroCommerce (Retail & Wholesale), has issued a joint statement raising critical concerns regarding the transposition of Directive (EU) 2025/1892, the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive. 

As Member States begin implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, a lack of distinction within the Directive’s Annex IVc is causing confusion. Currently, the specified CN codes do not distinguish between standard apparel and essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or Medical Devices (MD). 

The joint statement highlights that PPE and Medical Devices are engineered to protect users from hazardous environments, including chemical, biological, and radiological risks. Consequently, these garments often become contaminated and are classified as hazardous waste, requiring incineration—often with energy recovery—rather than recycling, to ensure safety. 

Including these products in standard textile EPR schemes poses significant risks: 

• Cross-Contamination: Mixing hazardous PPE waste with household textiles threatens human health and environmental safety. 
• Regulatory Conflict: Contaminated PPE disposal is already regulated under Articles 13, 17, 18, and 19 of the existing Waste Framework Directive. 
• Low Circularity Potential: PPE constitutes less than 1% of textile waste, with 80-90% treated as hazardous. The environmental benefit of recycling the remaining fraction is negligible compared to the transport required to aggregate sufficient volumes. 

The statement also calls for guidance on safety shoes. Like other PPE, these items face contamination issues that limit recyclability. Furthermore, manufacturers cannot guarantee product warranties or conformity for reused safety footwear, and the fee scaling for heavy items (e.g., steel-toed boots) remains unclear. 

Recital 28 of the Directive already suggests that products posing safety or hygiene risks should be excluded from the EPR. However, this is being overlooked in national implementations, such as in Spain and the Netherlands. 

Therefore, the signatories urge the European Commission to issue clear guidance to Member States confirming that products complying with the PPE Regulation (2016/425) and the MD Regulation (2017/745) are outside the scope of the Textiles EPR.

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

Thermoplastic elastomers as a recyclable alternative to elastane
The increasing importance of a circular economy for conserving resources and minimising negative environmental impacts requires innovative recycling concepts for textiles. The increasing use of elastane poses a particular challenge in textile recycling. Even small amounts of elastane cause difficulties in established recycling technologies such as thermomechanical recycling, for example by clogging filter media or decomposing into potentially toxic degradation products.

Jasmin Roos won the Sustainability Award for her bachelor's thesis on the topic: ‘Potential of thermoplastic elastomers for thermomechanical textile recycling as an alternative to elastane: Experimental evaluation of PET/TPC blends’ with prize money of €3,000.

In her thesis, Jasmin Roos, supervised by ITA scientist Ricarda Wissel, took an in-depth look at the development of sustainable solutions for recycling elastic textiles. The innovative approach aims to replace conventional, non-recyclable elastane with melt-spun yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). This can not only improve recyclability, but also contribute to reducing environmental impact, as harmful solvents can be dispensed with in yarn production.

The main objective of her work was to evaluate the suitability of blends of TPC and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for joint thermomechanical recycling. Blend and melt spinning tests were carried out on a laboratory and pilot scale at the ITA facilities. Jasmin Roos succeeded in producing blends of different proportions of PET and TPC, based on typical elastane proportions in textiles, and successfully processing them into yarns on a melt spinning line – a crucial aspect for closed-loop recycling. The results of her bachelor's thesis thus form a promising basis for the development of recyclable elastic yarns and textiles.

Archroma becomes the exclusive global distributor of Fibre52®’s patented chemistry—advancing a new standard in sustainable processing. Combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes, the partnership delivers the industry’s most resource-efficient bleach-and-dye systems.
 
Archroma, a leading global specialty chemicals company committed to sustainable innovation, and Innovo Fiber LLC, owner of the patented Fibre52® system, announced an exclusive global distribution partnership to expand the reach of Fibre52®’s proven low-temperature, bleaching technology with innovative dyeing application to textile mills and brands worldwide.

When combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE reactive dye range, the collaboration brings forward a comprehensive system that reduces resource use across pretreatment and dyeing, setting a new benchmark for sustainable cotton and cotton/polyester production. Together, the technologies enable mills to reduce water use and CO₂ emissions by up to 50%, helping brands accelerate their progress toward carbon-reduction and sustainability targets.

Under the agreement, Archroma will integrate Fibre52® into its global sales and technical network, expanding access to the ZDHC MRSL v3.1 and OEKO-TEX®-approved system for mills adopting high-performance, sustainable processing.

Revolutionizing Cotton and Cellulose Processing
Fibre52®’s breakthrough technology replaces harsh, high-temperature caustic bleaching with a gentle, low-temperature system that preserves the cotton fiber’s natural wax layer. The result is stronger, softer, more durable fabrics that reduce process weight loss by 2–4%, lower energy and water use, and deliver cost-neutral conversion—while minimizing the need for added softeners through the cotton’s naturally enhanced hand feel.

Already adopted by partner mills across multiple regions, the process delivers consistent results across all shades—including whites—and performs exceptionally on cotton/polyester blends, reducing time and water requirements. Combined with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes, it enhances dye uptake, color depth, and overall resource efficiency—a next-generation solution for sustainable textile processing.

Engineered for versatility across modern bleaching and dyeing platforms, Fibre52® offers mills a single, low-impact system adaptable to a wide range of fabric constructions and process methods. Designed for cotton and effective with cotton/polyester, manmade cellulosics, and cotton-rich blends, the system also supports greater use of recycled cotton, advancing circular textile production.

By combining Archroma’s global reach and technical expertise with Fibre52®’s patented innovation, the partnership will accelerate the industry’s shift to a comprehensive bleach-and-dye system, unlocking new efficiencies and environmental benefits at scale. Together, Archroma and Fibre52® are setting a new benchmark for sustainable, high-performance cotton and blended fabric processing.

Executive Perspectives
“Our goal has always been to make sustainable cotton processing the global standard,” said Laura Thornquist, President of Innovo Fiber LLC, owner of Fibre52®. “Through our partnership with Archroma, we can now deliver that vision at scale—combining Fibre52®’s neutral-pH, caustic-free technology with Archroma’s AVITERA® SE dyes to create a complete, low-impact bleach-and-dye system. This is how the industry moves forward: practical innovation that improves performance, protects fibers, and dramatically reduces environmental impact.”

“This partnership is a strategic milestone that brings together Innovo Fiber’s groundbreaking technology and Archroma’s sustainability innovation. Together we are empowering the textile industry to achieve new levels of efficiency and environmental sustainability. This is a game-changer for the industry and we are excited to lead the charge,” said Dhirendra Gautam, VP Commercial, Archroma. “With Fibre52®, we now deliver a unique, industry-first solution, for cotton and its blends, as part of Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ portfolio.”

® Trademarks of Archroma registered in many countries.
Fibre52® is a registered trademark of Fibre52 (Innovo Fiber LLC).

Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has revealed the theme for Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2026: ‘Building Resilient Futures’. Under the esteemed patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark, the leading forum for sustainability in fashion will take place on 6 - 7 May at the iconic Copenhagen Concert Hall, with pre-Summit events commencing on 5 May. Throughout the event, fashion's most influential figures will focus on forging the infrastructure of a future that is durable, restorative, and fair. Registration is now open. 

The sustainability movement in fashion has faced extraordinary challenges. Supply chains have been disrupted, especially in key sourcing countries like Bangladesh, Turkey and Vietnam, green ambitions questioned, and cultural narratives reshaped. Last year marked the first time global average temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement. The industry’s collective capacity to withstand and adapt has been profoundly tested. The Summit theme, ‘Building Resilient Futures’, recognises this moment as both a reckoning and a renewal. It challenges the global fashion community to carefully consider where they will fall on the resilience spectrum: rigid and resistant to change or agile and actively adapting to it.

Across the industry, emerging circularity networks, material innovation, evolving policy frameworks, new financing mechanisms, and data driven accountability are becoming essential building blocks of resilience. The 2026 Summit will examine how these enablers can reinforce long term social, environmental, and economic stability.

Global Fashion Summit will highlight how resilience can be strengthened through collaboration. The programme will focus not only on navigating upheaval, but on using it as a catalyst for greater strength, creativity, and impact - featuring curated content across five stages offering expanded perspectives and session formats. 

The Innovation Forum will showcase a curated selection of solutions spanning the value chain - from pioneering materials to advanced end-of-use processes. Summit attendees can connect with solution providers and participate in the Matchmaking Programme, which enables tailored, one-on-one meetings to help accelerate sustainability strategies through targeted partnerships.

Kelheim Fibres GmbH announces that the transaction process pursued as part of the ongoing self-administered insolvency proceedings with the Munich-based LEO III Fund, exclusively advised by the DUBAG Group, could not be successfully completed despite intensive efforts. The purchase agreement, which had already been notarised, could not be executed due to the non-fulfilment of essential closing conditions – in particular, the absence of binding volume commitments from several major customers for the year 2026. As a result, the investor was compelled to withdraw from the agreement, as a viable business model could not be secured.

Despite broad support from the majority of customers and the restructuring measures already successfully implemented, the currently binding order volume is not sufficient to economically justify a regular continuation of operations beyond 31 December 2025. Against this backdrop, Kelheim Fibres must now prepare for an orderly phase-out of production.

In parallel, the company is examining whether a limited continuation of production in 2026 – both in terms of duration and volume – may be possible based on additional binding customer orders. Customers are therefore being asked for swift final commitments. Once these responses have been evaluated, a decision will be made on whether, and to what extent, operations can be maintained beyond the turn of the year.

The workforce and the Works Council were informed of the current developments and potential scenarios on Monday, 24 November 2025.

The company's statement:
"We extend our sincere gratitude to our employees for their exceptional dedication and many years of loyalty. Their commitment during challenging times has shaped our company and significantly helped safeguard our values, quality, and continuity. We deeply regret the necessary step of ceasing operations and greatly appreciate the professional cooperation, engagement, and loyalty of each individual. Our thanks go to all colleagues for their contributions, their support throughout this transition, and their commitment to our community. Together, we carry the responsibility to find fair solutions for everyone affected and will provide support wherever possible in transitioning to new opportunities."