From the Sector

The Irish government has published its draft Delivery Plan for its national textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme – subject to a stakeholder consultation.  

The draft plan outlines the actions required for the effective design and go-live of a national textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, including the establishment of an entirely new Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) in Ireland, required by April 2028.

Commenting, Aimee Campanella, Development Director – Textiles EPR at leading international circularity specialists Reconomy, said: “It is great to see the Irish Government making progress towards establishing a national textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.”

“The proposed April 2028 go-live date gives textile producers time to prepare, but businesses should be using this period to understand what the new scheme will mean for their operations and how they can put the right systems in place.

“Moving towards greater producer responsibility will require better visibility across supply chains, stronger data management and a clearer understanding of how textiles flow through the economy. For businesses, preparing early will not only support compliance but also unlock wider commercial benefits, helping them identify efficiencies, reduce costs and make more informed decisions around design, sourcing and end-of-life management.

“The establishment of a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) will be central to delivering an effective scheme, but getting the framework right will be critical. It’s important that it strikes the right balance – creating the incentives needed to drive greater reuse, repair and recycling, while recognising the operational and cost implications for producers. 

“If designed effectively, Ireland’s textiles EPR scheme will provide the foundations for a more circular textiles economy, keeping materials in use for longer, reducing waste and creating new opportunities to recover valuable resources.”

At Bluezone ISKO is debuting its FW 27–28 Collection, structured around a trio of core sensory pillars: color, texture, and touch. This season, the textile leader showcases a creative vision where emotional connection and advanced technical innovation come together. The entire range is anchored by a dedicated commitment to eco-conscious material creation, utilizing patented processing technologies and high-quality Next-Gen materials powered by RE&UP. 

ISKO FW27–28 collection: Supreme Colors and beyond 
Anchoring the new season is Supreme Colors, a concept that highlights ISKO’s deep mastery of color innovation through a broad and adaptable shade spectrum spanning various product lines. Enhanced by strong yarn character, fast fading properties, and laser-compatible finishing techniques, the range delivers a high-definition visual depth alongside authentic, vintage denim characteristics. 

Building upon this color-focused story, Iconic Craft redefines fabric texture as a central design element. Bold surface treatments, multi-layered structures, and progressive finishes produce highly tactile textiles that fluidly shift from heritage authenticity to experimental, techno-inspired aesthetics. Completing the collection's sensory profile is ISKO™ Wondersoft, which prioritizes the physical hand-feel by introducing fluid, silky, and remarkably soft qualities that balance everyday durability with refined comfort. 

Capsule Collections: Four Creative Expressions 
This seasonal design philosophy comes to life across four distinct capsule collections, each exploring the overarching aesthetic theme through a unique point of view: 

• City Glam 2.0: Explores the boundaries of denim through a polished, metropolitan lens. It introduces a balance of matte and glossy finishes to add subtle luminosity and elevated sophistication while respecting denim’s classic roots. 
• D.Lite 2.0: Concentrates on lightweight fabric weights and fluid comfort. This capsule features flexible, exceptionally soft denim qualities designed for effortless movement and a relaxed aesthetic, meeting the modern demand for comfort-first apparel without losing a sleek edge. 
• Chino’s Utility: Reimagines traditional chino archetypes with a contemporary, laid-back sensibility. Classic, seasonless navy and beige baselines are updated with progressive colorways, tactile surfaces, and technical weave constructions that blend functional wear with elegant style. 
• Natural Meal: Presents an organic exploration focused on off-white and natural ecru palettes. Centered on raw authenticity, this capsule pairs clean tonal depth with distinct 
• fabric textures, offering a softer, more organic take on denim culture that highlights material character and mindful engineering. 

“Our presence at Bluezone highlights a deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of what denim can be,” said Fatma Korkmaz, Product Development Manager at ISKO. “This season, we are shifting the conversation toward an immersive, sensory experience where color depth and intricate textures take center stage and blending it with the incredible circular capabilities of RE&UP, to show the industry that high-end design and environmental responsibility belong together.” 

ISKO™ Luxury by PG – H.A. HUMAN ART 
Running alongside the core range, ISKO™ Luxury by PG debuts H.A. HUMAN ART, a visionary project celebrating artisanal craftsmanship in the era of artificial intelligence. Created by Paolo Gnutti, this line returns the focus to analog, human creativity, emphasizing tactile experimentation and emotion-driven design. The concept explores eight distinct directions, spanning tailored denim structures and highly textured black surfaces to multi-colored weaves, faux-fur techniques, and innovative reverse-side prints, merging artisanal spirit with premium technical luxury

In a big win for lower impact products, eVent Fabrics, a global leader in waterproof and breathable fabric technologies, is partnering with PELLIOT, one of China’s fastest-growing outdoor brands, to bring their flagship PFAS-free alpineST and windstormST laminates to the rapidly expanding China outdoor market. Founded in 2012, PELLIOT is a leading Chinese high-performance outdoor lifestyle brand. The company has a long history of supporting elite mountaineers and explorers in scaling the world’s highest peaks and conducting expeditions of significant scientific value.

PFAS in functional textiles has become a significant industry concern, making the transition to PFAS-free materials a clear market imperative. PELLIOT specializes in high-performance outdoor gear for mountaineering, travel, hiking, and skiing. Through this partnership with eVent Fabrics, PELLIOT is expanding its next-generation product range, further cementing its position as an industry benchmark for functional outdoor apparel.

“This partnership with PELLIOT represents a big step forward in the global reduction of PFAS in consumer apparel,” said Chad Kelly, Vice President of eVent Fabrics. “As one of the fastest growing outdoor apparel brands in China, PELLIOT is a volume leader, which means this partnership could have a real effect on attitudes towards PFAS in China’s explosive, multi-billion dollar outdoor sports market.”

"At PELLIOT, we are not only committed to crafting top-tier, versatile professional outdoor apparel for enthusiasts worldwide, but also to advancing material innovation and responsible product development," said Zhao Le, Vice President of PELLIOT. "The environmental hazards associated with traditional chemical materials, such as PFAS, have become a pressing concern for the entire outdoor industry. Driving the transition toward PFAS-free and low-carbon textiles is not only an inevitable industry trend but also a fundamental responsibility and mission for leading brands. We look forward to partnering with eVent to steer the industry away from its reliance on traditional PFAS-based fabrics while continuing to deliver the performance consumers expect."

Designed with the planet in mind, the PFAS-free alpineST membrane is laminated with performance face fabrics and backers, and finished with a C0 DWR finish. Ideal for demanding activities, alpineST provides the ultimate shield from the elements. The alpineST laminate can be found in the PELLIOT SS27 alpineST Hard Shell Jacket.

The windstormST laminate combines eVent’s plant-based membrane with recycled / low impact face and backer fabrics. Finished with a C0 DWR for sustainable performance, this softshell laminate completely blocks wind while repelling light rain and snow. Perfect for a wide-range of conditions, windstormST will be used in PELLIOT’S FW26 windstormST Soft Shell Jacket.

Researchers demonstrate how to use the power of the sun to turn plastic waste, such as drinks bottles, into clean hydrogen fuel at a scale large enough to be genuinely useful in the real world using a scalable approach.

The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, have previously demonstrated that a solar-powered reactor can convert plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals, but only at laboratory scale. 

Now, they have shown a clear path for converting this technology to a commercial scale, in outdoor, real-world conditions. 

While previous demonstrations have used a small reactor (catalyst) about 25cm square, the new device is significantly larger – about one metre square – which they tested under natural sunlight outside Cambridge’s Chemistry Department. This is the first time that this technology has been successfully used in outdoor conditions using scalable techniques. 

Instead of generating electricity like a conventional solar panel, the Cambridge devices drives a chemical reaction that converts waste into useful products while converting water to release clean hydrogen.

Earlier versions of the solar-powered panels required high temperatures, harsh chemicals, or complicated manufacturing processes. Typically, this involved small particles suspended in solution and deposited onto a substrate. 

“When we started trying to scale this technology up, we quickly found out that what seems simple on a small scale is not simple at all when you’re trying to make it at scale,” said co-first author Ariffin Bin Mohamad Annuar, from Cambridge’s Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry. “We can’t really have giant vats of solution to make these panels – it’s just not practical at scale.”

“If we’re really going to change the way we deal with the twin problems of plastic pollution and clean energy generation, we’ve got to develop a very scalable way to make these photocatalyst materials and reactors — and show that they really work outdoors,” said Professor Erwin Reisner, who led the research. 

The new panels can be assembled at room temperature without specialist equipment: first the light-absorbing material is sprayed onto a glass panel, and then the panel is coated with specially designed molecules containing cobalt and zirconium.

Co-author Professor Dominic Wright’s team, also from the Department of Chemistry, did the work to make the molecular precursor material. These precursors were then used by Reisner’s team for loading into a sprayer– like a household paint sprayer – so that the coating could be sprayed directly onto a glass panel. 

“What surprised me was, after all the optimisation, just how simple it is,” said Mohamad Annuar. “We just have this huge panel, we spray our catalyst on it, put it into our solution, put it under the sun, and it produces hydrogen and other valuable chemicals just from plastic waste. It’s just simple and scalable.”

The researchers showed the reactor works on materials ranging from cellulose to PET plastic bottles: the kind used for fizzy drinks. They also carried out a cost analysis to show what it would realistically take to scale the technology up commercially, which they say is a first for this type of research.

The spray-coating method developed by the Cambridge researchers dramatically reduces the cost to produce the reactors, which is vital to producing them at scale. However, the researchers say they still need to improve the durability and efficiency of the reactors before they are ready for commercial production. 

A patent for the technology has been filed with Cambridge Enterprise, the University’s innovation arm. The research was supported in part by the UK Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Petronas. Erwin Reisner is a Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge. Ariffin Bin Mohamad Annuar is a Member of Clare College, Cambridge.

Ponda, a UK-based biomaterials company with roots at Imperial College London, has partnered with the university to make branded clothing from wetland-grown plants.

The first products in this collaboration – a Mallard gilet and a Fern cap – are insulated with BioPuff®, a material made from bulrush grown on restored wetlands rather than oil or animal products. The clothing will be on sale exclusively at the Imperial College Union campus shop and online store this autumn.

Full circle collaboration
The world produces around 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year. That is the equivalent of a bin lorry of clothing burned or landfilled every second. Branded merchandise sits at a difficult intersection of this problem: it often relies on conventional materials with significant environmental impacts, yet is discarded long before the end of its useful life. BioPuff® offers an alternative approach, using plant-based insulation designed to connect product manufacturing with wetland restoration, and lower-impact material systems. Importantly, it also outperforms premium synthetics on warmth.

The collaboration between Ponda and Imperial is part of Sustainable Imperial, the university’s commitment to lead on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution through research, education, operations and community action. But the ambition runs wider than one campus.

Professor Anna Korre, Imperial’s Associate Provost (Sustainability), said: "This partnership will give Imperial's community the chance to directly back climate friendly fashion innovation. We're proud to celebrate this collaboration as part of our strategy launch. Ponda's story is a powerful example of how Imperial aims to maximise its positive impact on people and planet by giving our students and innovators the tools they need to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges."

About the innovative insulation
Ponda’s BioPuff® has already been used by fashion companies Stella McCartney, Berghaus, Ahluwalia and Sheep Inc. The team exhibited at the Sustainable Markets Initiative CEO Summit at Hampton Court Palace, where they met King Charles III and were recognised by the King’s Terra Carta Design Lab.
The first-of-its-kind insulation, which outperforms premium synthetics on warmth, is made from Typha (bulrush) and grown through paludiculture, the farming of wetland crops on rewetted peatlands.

Each BioPuff®-insulated gilet has the equivalent impact of restoring four square metres of healthy wetland. That represents approximately:

• 9kg of CO2e in avoided emissions each year
• 800 litres of water stored
• three times the bird density of drained land

Wetlands hold more than twice the carbon of all the world’s trees combined. The millions of hectares of drained peatlands emit approximately 1.9 gigatonnes of CO2 a year, roughly twice the total emissions of the global fashion industry.

The Textile PRO Forum has published a new analysis highlighting the need for greater harmonisation of textile Extended Producer Responsibility systems across Europe. New analysis shows strong differences in registration, reporting and invoicing requirements for textile producers.

The document, Toward harmonised Textile EPR Systems in Europe: analysis and recommendations, presents the results of work carried out by Workstream 1 of the Textile PRO Forum, led by Dr. Eng. Viola Corbellini, Strategic Development and Innovation Expert at Erion Textiles, and Eng. Luca Campadello, General Director at Erion Textiles. The workstream focused on reducing administrative burden for textile producers by identifying areas where procedures could be better aligned across countries.

The analysis is based on input from 12 Producer Responsibility Organisations covering 11 countries. It compares how emerging and existing textile EPR systems deal with producer registration, reporting of products placed on the market, invoicing, payments, producer identification and the role of digital tools.

The findings show that textile EPR systems are developing at different speeds and with different operational models across Europe. Registration may take place through online portals, direct contact with PROs, public authority systems or mixed models. Reporting frequencies also vary significantly, ranging from annual to monthly declarations. Requirements for Placed on the Market data, product categories, reporting units and invoicing practices are not yet aligned.

This fragmentation risks creating additional administrative complexity for companies operating in several European markets, especially SMEs, cross-border sellers and online operators. It may also reduce data comparability and make enforcement more difficult.

The analysis identifies several priority areas for harmonisation, including a minimum common EU-aligned dataset for registration, more consistent reporting calendars, clearer rules on producer identification, simplified reporting options for small producers, predictable invoicing and payment rules, and interoperable digital systems.

The Textile PRO Forum stresses that harmonisation does not mean eliminating all national specificities. Rather, it means defining a common core of rules, data and processes on which coherent national systems can be built.

The findings will be discussed at next week’s Textile PRO Forum plenary meeting, where participating PROs will take stock of the work carried out so far and consider next steps towards practical guidance and recommendations.

“Textile EPR is becoming a reality across Europe, but implementation must be workable for producers and effective for authorities. This analysis shows that harmonisation is not an abstract policy goal; it is a practical necessity to reduce administrative burden, improve data quality and support a well-functioning Single Market” says Anais De Bergeyck, Policy Officer at EURATEX.

A Cornell researcher’s bold new redesign of firefighter gear – which hasn’t significantly changed in decades – is more versatile and better adapted to their actual work, only a small fraction of which involves actually fighting structure fires.

Heeju Terry Park, the Vincent V.C. Woo Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design in the College of Human Ecology, and his lab developed the new two-piece, Velcro- and zipper-equipped suits after interviewing more than 50 firefighters. 

“I was asked to design new turnout gear for better thermal management and work efficiency,” Park said. “Current turnout gear has been used for decades with modest changes of design and materials despite increasing fire service roles for handling more wildland fires and emergency rescue operations.”

Huieun Do, M.A. ’25, a member of the Performance Apparel Design Lab, works with a prototype of the redesigned fire gear the lab is developing in coordination with professional firefighters.

Park’s yearlong redesign project – which included Huieun Do, M.A. ’25; Albert Lin, M.A. ’23; and Kim Phung Nguyen, all doctoral students in apparel design – was supported by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The project was in collaboration with International Personnel Protection Inc., a private consulting company, as a subcontractor to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the union representing more than 360,000 professional firefighters and paramedics in North America. This work was undertaken as part of a Department of Homeland Security grant to the IAFF.

The term “firefighter,” while technically accurate, doesn’t paint the full picture of what these men and women do on a daily basis. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 60% of fire department responses are for medical aid calls. Firefighters respond more to false alarms (8%) than to actual fires (3.9%).

Firefighters don’t always need their bulky turnout gear, which creates additional physiological stress due to heat and restricted movement. Additionally, some of the materials these protective suits contain or are treated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known carcinogens dubbed “forever chemicals.”

Park’s Performance Apparel Design Lab’s modernized gear, inspired by the suits worn by Formula 1 racecar drivers, can be adapted to the task at hand, and uses noncarcinogenic materials.

In interviews, the researchers identified three primary problems with firefighter suits:
•    These suits are designed mainly for thermal protection – understandable, but since less than 4% of firefighter calls are for fires, firefighters are often overdressed. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the main cause of on-duty firefighter death is cardiovascular in nature, triggered by heat stress;
•    A growing number of firefighters are women (approximately 9% of all firefighters, paid and volunteer), and clothing generally designed for men don’t always work if they’re just made smaller; and
•    The PFAS chemicals used to treat suits pose a significant health risk. According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters are 9% more likely than the general public to be diagnosed with cancer, and 14% more likely to die from it.

Traditional fire suits are multilayer, heavy-duty coats and pants featuring three layers of material – a flame- and puncture-resistant outer shell, made from a blend of Kevlar (Para-aramid) and polybenzimidazole (PBI) or Nomex fibers; a moisture barrier, typically made from heat-resistant breathable film material laminated to an aramid substrate; and a thermal barrier to provide additional thermal insulation. 

The main difference between current firefighter clothing and the Park lab’s redesign is versatility. The new clothing strikes a balance between a one-piece coverall concept and the more traditional two-piece design. Lin said that in interviews with firefighters, a one-piece coverall wasn’t well received.

“The firefighters were very hesitant to accept a coverall design,” Lin said, “so we had to navigate creating something that has the level of protection that a coverall provides, but in a design where firefighters will be more accepting of it.”

The new design is two pieces, which can be connected with zippers and Velcro to function as a coverall. The protective outer layer of the top can be unzipped and secured around the waist or completely removed when not needed, a feature similar to the suits worn by F1 racers.

“This unique design feature will enable firefighters to quickly cool down their body in non-firefighting situations,” Park said. In particular, the upper portion of the redesigned gear promotes effective heat release; more than 60% of perspiration occurs in the head and torso.

Additionally, the top features dual vertical zippers, for ease of donning and removal; a detachable front panel, convenient for bathroom breaks; two-way zippers to allow for ventilation; and a lower collar to reduce skin irritation and improve breathability.

The detachable front pocket of the redesigned fire suit features compartments so tools can be custom-organized by the firefighter. 

Another improvement is the front pocket, which typically stores the tools a firefighter needs. To facilitate quick access, the new design’s pocket features compartments so the tools can be custom-organized by the firefighter for ease of access in stressful situations.

The pocket is also detachable, and can be secured in front to accommodate either right- or left-handed people, and so access is not restricted, for example, by the straps of an oxygen tank.

Considering the significant concern over PFAS chemicals, the new gear Park’s team designed were prototyped using PFAS-free fabrics for the outer shell and moisture barrier. Recently, some U.S. states have moved toward banning turnout gear with PFAS; Canada and the European Union have moved toward banning PFAS in all goods, including turnout gear.

In the U.S., PFAS bans are mostly enacted at the local and state level; what few federal proposals there are only fund research into PFAS replacements, but not regulation. State-level bans have been enacted, but are not yet in effect, in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Illinois, and California; disclosure laws also have been enacted in Rhode Island.

Most state-level PFAS bans restrict buying of turnout gear with PFAS; however, they do not fund the replacement or purchase of new turnout gear.

Park is hoping to secure additional funding to enable further testing of the updated fire suits, with firefighters in Ithaca as well as at the New York City Fire Department training facility on Randall’s Island.

“I want to test whether this is really better designed to handle all the stressful tasks,” he said. “We want to see how quickly they can put it on and take it off, and how quickly they can reach the tools without dexterity issues, and how they feel about the new design aesthetically, culturally, psychologically, and whether it works for men, women, tall people, small people. That’s the next step.”

Neuthread has been named as Source Fashion's Charity and Design Partner in a new 12-month collaboration designed to champion circular fashion, inclusion and industry innovation.

Created by autism and neurodiversity charity Daisy Chain, Neuthread has gained industry recognition for transforming textile waste into high-quality fashion collections and became the first charity-led fashion brand to present a scheduled runway show at London Fashion Week in 2024. Through the new partnership, Source Fashion and Neuthread will work together to raise awareness of circular fashion, promote innovative approaches to tackling textile waste and encourage greater collaboration between brands, manufacturers, retailers and sustainability leaders.

Founded to challenge the perception that textile waste has reached the end of its life, Neuthread transforms donated, surplus and reclaimed textiles into contemporary fashion collections that combine environmental sustainability with social impact. The brand has rapidly gained recognition for its innovative approach to circular fashion, demonstrating how waste materials can be repurposed into desirable, commercially viable products while creating opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent people to develop skills and access employment pathways within the fashion and textiles sector.

Building on its London Fashion Week success, the organisation has since secured £1.5 million in investment from The National Lottery Community Fund to establish a pioneering circular fashion manufacturing facility in the North East of England, designed to reduce textile waste while creating training, volunteering and employment opportunities through its linked skills academy programme, Mend It Don't Rag It (MIDRI).

Over the next 12 months, the partnership will focus on building an eco-system of brands, manufacturers and retailers with innovative circular solutions, encouraging collaboration across the supply chain and creating new opportunities to repurpose surplus materials and textile waste.

As Design Partner, Neuthread will headline the Source Catwalk throughout the July edition, presenting its collections three times a day alongside trend-led showcases from Source Fashion exhibitors and bringing circular fashion to the forefront of the show's content programme. The partnership will provide a platform to demonstrate how surplus, reclaimed and donated textiles can be transformed into commercially relevant fashion collections, while highlighting the opportunities that circular design presents for the wider industry.

The catwalk showcases will also support Neuthread's ambition to build new relationships with brands, manufacturers and retailers looking for innovative solutions for surplus fabrics, deadstock materials and textile waste streams. Through the partnership, Neuthread hopes to encourage greater collaboration across the industry and demonstrate practical alternatives to landfill and low-value textile recycling.

Johnathon Pickard, Director of Business Development & Income Generation, Neuthread commented: "We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Source Fashion as both Charity Partner and Design Partner for the July show. Source Fashion has established itself as one of the most influential platforms driving conversations around responsible sourcing, sustainability and the future of fashion. Those are conversations that sit at the very heart of what Neuthread is seeking to achieve.

Neuthread was created to challenge the perception that textile waste has reached the end of its life. Through innovative design, circular manufacturing and the talents of autistic and neurodivergent people, we are demonstrating how fashion can create environmental, social and economic impact simultaneously.

Following our journey from becoming the first charity to showcase a scheduled fashion brand collection at London Fashion Week through to securing £1.5 million to establish a pioneering circular fashion manufacturing facility, we are now entering an exciting period of growth. Working alongside Source Fashion provides an opportunity to share that vision with a wider industry audience and inspire new ways of thinking about sustainability, creativity and inclusion.

We are excited about what this partnership can achieve over the next 12 months and look forward to collaborating with the Source Fashion team to demonstrate that fashion can be a force for positive change.”

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, added: “Neuthread is a natural fit for Source Fashion because they bring together creativity, circular innovation and practical action in a way that genuinely resonates with the challenges facing our industry today.

"As our Charity and Design Partner, they will play a central role in the July edition, headlining the Source Catwalk with showcases that demonstrate how surplus, reclaimed and donated textiles can be transformed into commercially relevant fashion collections. Their ambition to build new partnerships across the industry also aligns closely with our mission to connect businesses, encourage collaboration and drive meaningful change.

"From their pioneering manufacturing facility in the North East of England to the Source Fashion catwalk in London, Neuthread showcases the incredible innovation taking place across the UK fashion and textiles sector. We are proud to provide a platform that helps bring those stories to a wider audience and look forward to working together over the next 12 months."

Visitors to Source Fashion's July 2026 edition will be able to experience Neuthread's catwalk collections, engage directly with the team throughout the show and learn more about the organisation's pioneering approach to circular manufacturing, textile waste reduction and inclusive employment.

The greatest environmental impact of an industrial washing machine is not generated during its manufacturing process, but throughout the years it remains in operation at the customer’s facilities. Based on this reality, Girbau has developed G-Seeds, an internal sustainability currency designed to integrate emissions reduction into decision-making across the organization and accelerate the decarbonization of its customers’ operations. 

The initiative translates tonnes of CO₂ equivalent into a common unit of measurement, enabling the environmental impact of decisions related to product design, supplier selection, procurement, and the commercialization of more efficient solutions to be assessed consistently. Its aim is to ensure that sustainability is no longer an indicator reserved for specialized departments, but becomes an integral part of the company’s day-to-day operations.

“Talking about CO₂ emissions can be a complex topic and unfamiliar for many people within the organization. We decided to create a sustainability currency to make it more accessible, understandable and, above all, something our own” explains Joan Vilaseca, Sustainability Officer at Girbau. 

The weight of emissions associated with the use of equipment explains the focus of the initiative. According to company data, emissions linked to the use of sold products (Scope 3.11) account for 96% of its total carbon footprint. In addition, an industrial washing machine can generate up to twenty times more emissions over its lifetime than those derived from its manufacturing process.

Results in emissions reduction
The company states that G-Seeds, combined with other initiatives, has contributed to a 33% reduction in Scope 3 emissions in 2025 compared to the 2023 baseline year. These emissions are mainly generated during the operation of the equipment at customers’ facilities, beyond the company’s direct control.

The initiative has also driven the development and adoption of solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of industrial laundries. These include Genius washing machines equipped with a water recovery tank, a system that reuses water from the final rinse for the next wash cycle and enables water consumption to be reduced by up to 35%, as well as Sortech, which promotes more sustainable laundry operations while protecting workers.

“G-Seeds allowed us to become more aware of our environmental impacts and to understand the connections between the different phases of the business. This has helped us make more strategic decisions, strengthen ecodesign practices, and bring these solutions to our customers” says Vilaseca.

External recognition
The project has gained external recognition from one of the most prominent international business schools. It was included as a case study in the 2nd Esade ISS Sustainability in the Workplace Barometer for its ability to integrate sustainability objectives into corporate decision-making.

In the same year, Girbau was awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal, after having achieved a Bronze rating the previous year. According to the assessment, this recognition places the company among the top 4% of best-rated companies worldwide in terms of sustainability. The company also maintains its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and reports having already reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 35% compared to 2021.

Goldwin Inc., Neste, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., and Toray Industries, Inc. have established a supply chain for nylon fiber made from renewable raw materials. Neste supplies Neste RE™, a renewable raw material that enables the production of high-performance renewable nylon fiber and reduces the reliance on fossil feedstocks. The nylon fiber produced through this project is scheduled to be used by Goldwin for a part of THE NORTH FACE products in August 2026. 

Renewable naphtha, or Neste RE, is made from bio-based raw materials such as used cooking oil and other renewable raw materials. It is a lower-GHG-emission alternative to conventional fossil feedstocks. With the use of neat (i.e., unblended) renewable Neste RE, over 85%* of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the raw material are reduced compared to the use of virgin fossil raw materials. Bio-based plastics derived from Neste RE are of identical quality to those made from virgin fossil feedstocks and can be turned into exactly the same products and used for the same applications.

“Renewable materials made from Neste RE meet the performance standards of global brands like THE NORTH FACE operated by Goldwin Inc. This project with Goldwin, Idemitsu, and Toray shows how the fashion industry's dependence on fossil resources can also be reduced for high-performance products. It demonstrates how our drop-in solutions can rapidly transform complex value chains to help brands work towards their climate targets,” says Maiju Helin, Director of Polymers and Chemicals at Neste.

Fossil-based feedstocks, like naphtha, can be replaced with Neste RE without changes to the polymers and chemicals manufacturing infrastructure or processes; it is a seamless drop-in solution. In building this supply chain, the participating companies utilized existing facilities and applied the mass balance** approach.

Mitsubishi Corporation coordinated the participating companies in establishing the supply chain for renewable nylon fiber in Goldwin's products.

This collaboration marks Neste’s second supply chain collaboration for THE NORTH FACE products, following a similar partnership in July 2024.