From the Sector

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has updated its report on Key Areas of Regulatory Challenge with new topics in line with the European Union’s Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal. Specific scientific research is needed to better protect people and the environment from hazardous chemicals and to develop balanced and effective regulatory measures.

The report introduces new topics to reflect ECHA’s growing responsibilities. It also covers emerging topics in waste and recycling that aim to support circularity and enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness. 

For example, more specific research is needed on:  

• chemical emissions and exposure from the waste stage of materials to help create more accurate emission estimates to avoid potentially over-conservative regulatory measures;
• recycled non-fossil fuel resources, to improve our understanding of their hazards and support EU policies that aim to reduce pollution and promote sustainable growth; and
• the valuing of environmental impacts to assess the effectiveness and proportionality of chemicals regulation and specific regulatory actions under, for example, REACH and the Batteries Regulation.

Dr Sharon McGuinness, ECHA’s Executive Director, said: 
“Since ECHA’s first report in 2023, we have seen important, regulatory-relevant scientific research get underway. For example, new research has been initiated on developing analytical methods to detect and measure PFAS for use by enforcement authorities and on generating monitoring data on a specific phthalate that is a chemical of concern.   

“Our updated report reflects the European Commission’s Clean Industry Deal and Competitiveness Compass, by inviting more specific research to support the circular economy and innovation in Europe.”

Other research needs added to the report include developing better methods to monitor chemicals in water environments, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, and how chemicals can contaminate drinking water from materials that come into contact with it.

Background
The Key Areas of Regulatory Challenge report is part of an evolving research and development agenda aiming to support and inspire the research community. The list of research needs is not exhaustive. The report reflects ECHA’s current priorities, including the Agency’s new tasks. It was originally developed to support the work under the Partnership for the assessment of risk from chemicals (PARC). 

PARC is a seven-year EU wide research and innovation programme under Horizon Europe which aims to advance research, share knowledge and improve skills in chemical regulatory risk assessment.

ECHA’s role in PARC is to ensure that the funded scientific research addresses current regulatory challenges related to chemical risk assessment and adds value to the EU’s regulatory processes.

Under the theme “Ensuring a Transformed World Prosperity – Action for Planet with Innovation and Collaboration,” APIC 2025 promoted the petrochemical industry’s role in driving growth and building a sustainable future amid fundamental structural shifts in the sector, which aligns with Indorama Ventures’ brand promise to deliver indispensable chemistry through sustainable solutions.
Indorama Ventures joined some 1,500 delegates from across the globe to discuss sustainability, innovation, and industry cooperation. Ahead of the event, the company’s Combined PET segment, the world’s largest producer and recycler of PET bottles, hosted a reception for about 200 customers, suppliers and partners, including a traditional Thai puppet performance and an interactive VR experience of Indorama Ventures’ 360 Gallery.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical producer, reinforced its leadership in shaping the future of the petrochemical industry at the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2025, held this year in Bangkok.

Mr. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, emphasized that collaboration across the value chain is critical to building long-term resilience and relevance in a shifting global landscape:
“Our global diversity gives us the agility to meet change with confidence and to remain dependable no matter the environment. It is this quiet strength that makes us a partner you can rely on, for today and for what lies ahead. The future of our industry won’t be written in isolation. It will be shaped, once again, through collaboration. Through shared purpose. Through indispensable chemistry.”

Driving Sustainability Through Innovation
At a APIC 2025 panel discussion titled “Reimagining Petrochemicals”, Dr. Anthony Watanabe, Chief Sustainability Officer, explored how the industry must move beyond incremental change by adopting systemic innovation, improving sourcing transparency, and accelerating climate-positive technologies.
Complementing this vision, Dr. Tinnabhop Santadkha, Sustainability Innovation Specialist, delivered a keynote on “Indorama Ventures’ Alternative Feedstocks.” He outlined how the company is investing in bio-based materials, chemical recycling, and alternative feedstocks to reduce emissions and enable a circular economy at scale.

Scaling Impact at the Grassroots Level
In a session focused on circular economy ecosystems, Ms. Naweensuda Krabuanrat, Head of Global CSR, Global Recycling Education and Thai Advocacy, spotlighted the company’s work in building community-based PET collection systems and driving education through public-private collaboration. Her presentation underscored a key takeaway: that systems-level change requires both infrastructure and behavior change. The company’s recycling infrastructure and public-private partnerships are contributing to a more sustainable value.

Under its Baldwin brand, BW Converting will partner with Fi-Tech, Inc. at Techtextil North America to demonstrate its TexCoat™ G4 precision spray finishing system, an advanced, sustainable solution designed to reduce chemical waste, minimize water usage and cut energy consumption in textile manufacturing.
Held May 6-8 in Atlanta, Techtextil North America is the premier event for technical textiles and nonwovens in the United States. BW Converting will be present in the Fi-Tech booth A3207 to connect with textile professionals seeking to streamline operations while improving finishing quality and sustainability outcomes.
 
The TexCoat G4 applies chemistry with pinpoint accuracy — on one or both sides of the fabric — with no contamination, overspray or dilution. By eliminating pad baths and reducing the frequency of changeovers, the system significantly improves operational efficiency.
 
Also featured at Techtextil North America will be BW Converting's Baldwin Plasma Pure surface modification technology. Plasma Pure boosts adhesion and uptake in dyeing, coating and laminating processes by optimizing surface energy at the molecular level, without the need for added chemicals.

Based on preliminary figures, the CHT Group, a global supplier of specialty chemicals based in Tübingen, demonstrated its resilience and strategic foresight in the 2024 financial year. Despite volatile global conditions, the company recorded sales growth to EUR 614.3 million (+2%) and a significant increase in EBIT to EUR 21.1 million - an increase of EUR 13.4 million compared to the previous year. Growth came primarily from the APAC region (+13.7%), while the markets in EMEA (-2.5%) and the Americas (+0.4%) remained stable.

The clear future course is also evident on the investment side: at 44.2 million euros, the CHT Group invested more than ever before - particularly in the further development of digitalization, expansion of the global production sites and increasing sustainability. In Germany alone, investments amounted to 9.2 million euros, which corresponds to an increase of 124%.

Sustainability as a growth driver
Sustainability is not a trend, but has been an integral part of our corporate strategy for many years. The company is currently developing its Strategy 2030+ and continues to systematically pursue the goal of anchoring sustainability along the entire value chain.

The key sustainability targets include:

• Reduction of specific water and energy consumption by 10% by 2025
• Introduction of an energy management system at all production sites
• Increase the proportion of sales accounted for by sustainable ECO Range products to 80%
• Over 90% of the relevant purchasing volume with sustainably-certified suppliers
• Climate neutrality by 2045, with scientifically validated interim targets of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi):
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Scope 1+2 by 42 % by 2030,
  • Scope 3 by 25 % - CHT is aiming for a reduction of 95 % in all areas by 2045.

The sustainability strategy is based on three central pillars:

1. People – social responsibility, safe working conditions and human rights in the supply chain
2. Planet – environmental and climate protection, resource conservation, circular economy
3. Performance – sustainable products, innovation and economic stability

The globally operating company focuses on sustainable specialty chemicals solutions in markets such as textiles, paints and coatings, construction, automotive, electronics and consumer care.  The CHT Group is a foundation company and part of the Reinhold Beitlich Foundation. Its values - responsibility, innovation and sustainability - are firmly anchored in the corporate culture.

Reinforcement of the management team underlines ambitions
With the appointment of Dr. Christian Rink as CFO in October 2024 and Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli as COO on April 1, 2025, the management team was expanded in a targeted manner. Dr. Christian Rink brings extensive experience from the international foundation company Bosch, while Dr. Lorenza Sartorelli has extensive experience from the international chemicals group Evonik. These are ideal prerequisites for driving forward operational excellence, financial strategy and sustainability transformation.

On the occasion of World Water Day, Jeanologia reaffirms its commitment to dehydrating and detoxifying the textile industry by presenting its Ecological Profit and Loss Account—a pioneering report that quantifies the positive impact of its innovative solutions in terms of water savings and emissions reduction.

The figures for 2024: 20,875,400 cubic meters of polluted water saved and a reduction of 98,4 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions—a contribution equivalent to the annual water consumption of a city the size of Valencia and the carbon capture in a year by a forest of 16,000 hectares, the same size as 22,400 football fields. This means millions of liters of wastewater have been prevented from reaching rivers and seas, and millions of kilograms of CO₂ from polluting the atmosphere.

Water scarcity: the textile industry’s challenge and the urgency to act
The fashion industry, one of the most water-intensive and waste-generating sectors, faces a critical challenge. Each year, it is estimated to use 93 billion cubic meters of water and generate 20% of the world’s wastewater, mostly due to processes like dyeing and garment finishing. This scenario highlights the urgent need for transformation.

The global water crisis demands concrete solutions. Jeanologia has proven that it is possible to produce fashion responsibly, significantly reducing environmental impact without compromising quality, authenticity, creativity, or profitability.

The denim revolution is driven by innovation. Since its founding three decades ago, Jeanologia has developed a integrated ecosystem of technologies that enable zero discharge and minimal water usage. Among its specialized solutions for the denim industry are:

• Laser: A pioneering technology that replaces traditional abrasion methods, eliminating the use of water and harmful chemicals.
• eFlow: Uses nanobubbles to transport chemicals precisely to fabrics, minimizing water usage and ensuring zero discharge.
• Airwash Tech (G2 Indra): Replaces conventional water-based garment washing with air, significantly reducing both water and chemical consumption.
• H2Zero: A closed-loop water recycling system that recovers up to 95% of water used during production.

Jeanologia has implemented these technologies in over 80 countries, working with leading global manufacturers to completely transform how jeans are made. Sustainability in the textile sector is no longer a promise—it’s a measurable reality.

Since its founding, Jeanologia has been on a mission to transform the textile industry into a more ethical, sustainable, and efficient model. The company works closely with brands, retailers, and suppliers on this transformative journey, offering disruptive technologies, innovative software, and a new operational model. Their groundbreaking solutions, including laser technology, G2 ozone, Dancing Box, e-flow, H2Zero, and ColorBox, have redefined garment design and finishing standards, eliminating polluting processes and significantly reducing the use of water, energy, and chemicals. Thanks to these advancements, Jeanologia has saved millions of liters of water and eliminated harmful substances, turning its vision of a truly sustainable textile industry into reality.

In 2025, Jeanologia celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking a legacy of three decades of sustainable innovation. From the introduction of its laser technology in 1999, which revolutionized denim finishing, to its current challenge of implementing a revolutionary sustainable garment dyeing process, the Spanish company has pioneered solutions that not only benefit the environment but also optimize operational costs. Looking ahead, Jeanologia remains committed to creating an eco-efficient and ethical textile future, encouraging all industry stakeholders to join its Mission Zero initiative: dehydrate and detoxify the textile industry. No more water and toxic chemicals used in garment finishing around the world.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has successfully implemented a state-of-the-art Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology at its Mahachai plant in Thailand. The ZLD solution was designed and built by Gradiant, a global leader in advanced water and wastewater treatment. This milestone project marks a major leap forward in water circularity, enabling the recovery of 90-95% of wastewater for reuse and the extraction of valuable minerals for industrial applications.

Archroma partnered with Gradiant to deploy a high-efficiency, membrane- and oxidation-based ZLD solution, reinforcing its commitment to responsible water management in the textile industry. Located in a water-stressed region near Bangkok, the Mahachai plant now serves as a model for sustainable textile dye production, significantly reducing reliance on local water supplies while improving environmental resilience.

As part of its broader sustainability endeavor, Archroma addresses critical challenges within the apparel and textile industry, particularly water consumption. “We believe in reducing water use in production and home laundering. We innovate to remove toxins and contaminants from our products, making wastewater treatment easier for our plants and customers,” said Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy, Archroma. “Our goal is to require our plants to have effective water conservation facilities with special focus on water stressed areas, contributing to water conservation and helping to combat acute water scarcity worldwide.”

Since 2019, Archroma has evaluated various ZLD solutions to address growing water challenges in Thailand. Gradiant’s Counterflow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) was selected as the preferred technology for its ability to treat diverse wastewater compositions with superior efficiency and minimal energy consumption. The modular system seamlessly integrates with the plant’s existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, maximizing desalination capacity and water recovery while reducing the plant’s environmental footprint.

In addition to CFRO, Gradiant’s Free Radical Oxidation (FRO) technology has been deployed to remove color and organics from the RO concentrate, ensuring safe discharge and meeting stringent environmental regulations. The system also enables the recovery of concentrated brine, which Archroma repurposes within the dyeing process or supplies to industry partners for applications such as resin regeneration and chlorine production, further promoting a circular economy in water and resource management.
Thailand faces mounting water stress due to climate change, extreme droughts, and aging infrastructure, making sustainable water management an urgent priority. By implementing Gradiant’s ZLD solution, Archroma significantly reduces its dependence on freshwater sources, ensuring long-term operational resilience in a resource-constrained environment.

This multi-million-dollar investment underscores Archroma’s dedication to water conservation and its broader mission to transform the textile industry through sustainable innovation. Beyond Thailand, Archroma continues to expand its ZLD initiatives globally, including its Sustainable Effluent Treatment (SET) plant in Jamshoro, Pakistan, which has been providing irrigation water to surrounding communities.

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, welcomes the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal, which aims to pave the way for a sustainable, climate-neutral and competitive industry. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the initiative on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, together with 400 business leaders, including the CEO of the Lenzing Group, Rohit Aggarwal, in Antwerp (Belgium). The industry is calling on EU heads of state and government to take urgent measures in all EU member states without delay ahead of the upcoming European Council meeting in March.

“International trade tensions, volatile energy markets, and the need to decarbonise industries demand urgent collective action. We must continue to support Europe’s green leadership and ensure that those investing in sustainability are incentivised. We must act now, work together and translate ambition into tangible results”, emphasizes Rohit Aggarwal, CEO of Lenzing Group. “The Clean Industrial Deal is an important initiative for Europe’s industrial and sustainable future. It will strengthen Europe’s net-zero industry, expand green technology manufacturing, and enhance industrial competitiveness.”

One important aspect is access to affordable and clean energy, which is crucial for the global position and competitiveness of the industry.

“We appreciate the Commission President taking the time to join us today in Antwerp to present the Clean Industrial Deal. Nine out of ten calls of the Antwerp Declaration have been addressed. We need to transform Europe’s ambition ‘to be’, into a determination ‘to do’. Every day, Europe is falling behind its goals, and is losing quality jobs for our current and future generations of workers. In the turbulent times we are in we need bold action from the European Leadership,” said Ilham Kadri, President of the European Chemical Industry Council, Cefic.

Europe’s industries are facing historical challenges: declining demand, stalled investments, reduced capacity, and EU gas prices at 4 to 5 times higher than its competitors. Between 2023 and 2024, Europe’s manufacturing output – a sector employing over 31 million people – dropped another 2.6 percent. While for the chemicals industry – the industry of industries – Cefic’s recent study emphasised the severity, with over 11 million tons of capacity announced to be closed between 2023 and 2024, affecting 21 major sites.

To overcome these challenges, back in February 2024, 73 business leaders presented the Antwerp Declaration to Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The Antwerp Declaration lays out 10 concrete actions to restore the business case for investments, to implement Europe’s sustainability ambitions and safeguard quality jobs in Europe. It is now signed by over 1,300 signatories.

“Reading the Clean Industrial Deal, we need the Commission to focus, prioritise the three key actions that improve our situation already this year and put all power, boldness and bravery in the European Commission behind these. And give us a realistic planning for the remaining actions. When we say actions, we mean action, not strategies, policies or plans. Leave no stone unturned and break all taboos. We need the situation to change.” Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General.

“Cefic calls on all new EU initiatives to be evaluated against the following criteria: Do they keep Europe safe and independent, reduce energy prices, ease the administrative burden on companies, attract investments to Europe, create markets for sustainable products, and safeguard quality jobs in Europe? If the answer to any of these questions is no, EU policymakers should reconsider and revise the proposal accordingly.”

Stylish and recyclable carbon fibre furniture
Cobra and its partners have coordinated the design, engineering, material selection and manufacturing of a range of innovative carbon fibre-based furniture. The furniture uses the recyclable epoxy resins, along with other production waste, and recycled raw materials.

Cobra, Aditya Birla Group, Burapa University, Hankuk Carbon, and Luxara Design Studio present a recyclable composite meeting table and barstool. The Liana table uses Recyclamine resins, high-modulus prepreg and Cobra’s production-waste BMC material for its structure. Neolith, a 100% sustainable artificial marble with 52% recycled content, and Hankuk woven carbon fabric provide the exceptional surface finish. The Loop barstool uses a looping design style, and again, it uses Recyclamine resins and Hankuk carbon over a recyclable PET core for a high-end yet sustainable seating solution.

Cobra International (Thailand)
Partners:
• Aditya Birla Chemicals Ltd. – Advanced Materials (Thailand)
• Burapha University (Thailand)
• HANKUK CARBON CO., LTD. (South Korea)
• LUXARA DESIGN CO.,LTD. (Thailand)

Key benefits:
• Thin yet strong, only achievable with carbon fibre
• Lightweight yet durable for lasting performance
• First recyclable carbon fibre furniture
• Upcycling composites waste
• A step towards circularity

Pili, a French pioneer in biobased dyes and pigments, partners with Orta, the Turkish denim mill and Citizens of Humanity, a California-based high-end denim brand known for its commitment to quality and sustainability.

They are beginning a transformative shift in the denim industry with the commercial launch of the first products dyed with Pili’s biobased indigo. The first products will debut in January in the Spring 2025 collections of Citizens of Humanity and AGOLDE.

A New Ecological Standard for the Denim Industry
In 2024, Pili achieved a major milestone by producing its first tons of biobased indigo, enabling the creation of sustainable denim articles, a turning point in the company's efforts to decarbonize the textile industry especially denim.

Pili has developed unique processes combining fermentation and organic chemistry to offer a high-performance, eco-friendly alternative to petrochemical dyes. Their ecological alternative significantly reduces the use of toxic chemicals and fossil resources, while aiming to cut CO2 emissions up to 50%. It meets the same performance as petrochemical indigo while seamlessly integrating into existing dyeing processes without requiring additional investment in commercial dyeing equipment.

Pili’s colors development is based on standardized Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), ensuring a rigorous process to measure and minimize their environmental impact.

A Partnership Driving Sustainable Transformation in the Industry
Fiber and dye are the two main components of denim products and also the ones with the greatest impact on their production. The partnership between Citizens of Humanity, Pili, and Orta establishes one of the highest ecological standards in the market with the use of regenerative cotton and biobased indigo.

Pili biobased indigo will make its debut in Citizens of Humanity and AGOLDE’s Spring 2025 collections. This long-term partnership between Citizens of Humanity, Orta, and Pili will continue to expand in future collections. The launch will be exclusive on NET-A-PORTER on January 6, 2025, before being extended to agolde.com, citizensofhumanity.com, and other global retailers.

A Key Step Towards the Decarbonization of the Color Industry
Building on this first success, Pili is accelerating the development of coloring solutions for various industrial applications, particularly in the inks, paints, and polymers sectors. The aim is to decarbonize everyday products using high-performance biobased pigments, with the first applicative tests set to begin this year. Pili continues its mission to decarbonize the color industry, paving the way for a sustainable revolution.

Autoneum expands its sustainable product portfolio for commercial vehicles with new polyester-based side and rear wall panels. Their carrier material consists of Propylat PET, the company’s eco-friendly and fully recyclable Pure technology made of 100 percent polyester. Autoneum’s components thus offer a significantly more sustainable alternative to the composite or thermoset resin panels commonly used in trucks today, which are difficult to recycle. Thanks to the unique material composition of Propylat PET, they contribute to optimized acoustic and thermal management.

With the establishment of a dedicated Business Unit Commercial Vehicles at the beginning of 2024, Autoneum has set the course for further sustainable and profitable growth in this market segment on a global scale. Manufacturers of medium and heavy trucks as well as agricultural vehicles thus benefit not only from Autoneum’s existing production footprint and comprehensive product and technology portfolio, but also from the Company’s longstanding experience in the development and manufacturing of environmentally friendly monomaterials. Components such as the new polyester-based side and rear wall panels support customers in improving the environmental performance of commercial vehicles and are therefore an important step towards a circular economy also in this vehicle segment.

The carrier material of Autoneum’s sustainable trim components consists of 100 percent polyester. Thanks to the high content of recycled fibers and the excellent end-of-life recyclability of Propylat PET, the side and rear wall panels from Autoneum are considerably more environmentally friendly than the composite or thermoset resin alternatives commonly used in trucks today. Furthermore, additional components can be welded onto the material without the use of adhesives or other chemicals, which further increases the products’ recyclability at the end of their service life. Due to the unique material composition of Propylat PET, the components also improve the acoustic and thermal insulation of the vehicle interior and are characterized by minimal emission of volatile organic compounds as well as low odor. In addition, Autoneum continues to invest in the develop-ment of monomaterial components for commercial vehicles, where both the carrier material and the aesthetic surface are made entirely of polyester, thus further advancing the transition to a sustaina-ble circular economy.