From the Sector

Based on the annual data reported by Member States to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation, the decline is mainly due to reduced volumes of exports and imports of substances containing benzene.

ECHA’s annual report on exports and imports of chemicals that are banned or severely restricted in the EU shows that substances containing benzene accounted for approximately 51% (1.1 million tonnes) of total exports and 99% (30 million tonnes) of total imports of PIC chemicals in 2024. In 2023, 64 million tonnes of substances containing benzene were exported, with imports reaching 65 million tonnes. The decrease in their trade has led to a 97% reduction in overall export volumes and a 53% reduction in overall import volumes.

If substances containing benzene are excluded from the data, the report shows a slight increase in hazardous substance trade. Exports of other PIC chemicals increased by 7% from approximately 1.03 million tonnes in 2023 to 1.1 million tonnes in 2024. Imports of other PIC chemicals rose by 2% from approximately 378 000 tonnes in 2023 to 387 000 tonnes in 2024.

The top traded chemicals were largely similar to previous years, with substances containing benzene, benzene itself and ethylene dichloride (1,2-dichloroethane) dominating both exports and imports.

In 2024, pesticide exports increased by 34% (from approximately 173 000 to 232 000 tonnes), after two consecutive years of decline. The main contributor to this increase was chlorate, which accounted for 24% of the overall rise.

Background
Exports - 553 companies from 24 EU countries provided data to ECHA on the exports of PIC chemicals from the EU in 2024. Three EU countries (Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta) and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) declared that they had not exported PIC chemicals.
Imports - 226 companies from 23 EU countries submitted data on imports of PIC chemicals into the EU in 2024. Four EU countries (Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Malta) and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) declared that they had not imported PIC chemicals.

Article 10 of the PIC Regulation requires importers and exporters to give information about the annual trade of chemicals listed in Annex I to the regulation to their designated national authorities by 31 March of the following year. Each EU country must then provide the aggregated information to ECHA so that it can be summarised at EU level and non-confidential information can be made publicly available.

The process, which is both economically and environmentally sustainable, has enabled the production of an underwear set made from 100% recycled nylon and LYCRA® fibre in a closed-loop system.
      
Recycling of garments made from different types of fibres has always represented a major challenge for the textile industry. In the absence of a chemical or mechanical process capable of separating and recovering the individual materials, these garments have so far become waste destined for incineration or landfill. Today, however, Radici InNova, the RadiciGroup division dedicated to research and innovation, has developed an innovative recycling process based on selective dissolution technology, capable of treating mixed textile waste — such as swimwear, tights and leggings — and recovering both nylon and LYCRA® fibre, making them available again for the production of new garments. The collaboration with The LYCRA Company and Triumph, internationally-renowned lingerie brand, has made it possible to validate the process by using the recovered fibres to create a 100% recycled lingerie set. The process, internationally patented, uses non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally compatible solvents. It can be applied to the main types of nylon (PA6 and PA66) and is economically sustainable because it allows for the recovery of both nylon and LYCRA® fibre, regardless of their respective proportions in the fabric, as well as the solvent itself.

“Thanks to this project, textile recycling enters a new dimension, demonstrating for the first time that it is possible to recover fibers from mixed fabrics and reuse them to produce new garments. This is an unprecedented innovation that opens up revolutionary development opportunities for the textile industry. As RadiciGroup, we are proud to have conceived and achieved this important milestone together with our partners, and we are ready to take the next steps,” said Stefano Alini, CEO of Radici InNova.

“This innovative project highlights the role that elastane can have in helping to advance circularity in the apparel industry. Working closely with Radici InNova and Triumph, The LYCRA Company has demonstrated that LYCRA® fibres can retain their renowned stretch and recovery performance — providing comfort, fit and ease of movement — even when reintegrated into the spinning cycle,” commented Nicholas Kurland, Product Development Director, Advanced Concepts The LYCRA Company.

The project began four years ago, when Radici InNova launched the study of an innovative process for the dissolution and separation of mixed textile fibres. After the initial development phase, subsequent tests made it possible to recover samples of LYCRA® fibre from multi-material fabrics, which were then sent to The LYCRA Company to verify their recyclability. The next step was to demonstrate the feasibility in practice: Triumph provided its own production surplus, a fabric containing 16% LYCRA® fibre. From this material, Radici InNova succeeded in recovering both LYCRA® fibre and nylon. The LYCRA® fibre was then re-spun by The LYCRA Company, while RadiciGroup processed the recycled nylon to produce new Renycle® yarn. Using these recycled yarns (LYCRA® fibre and Renycle®), a 60-meter black fabric was created, which Triumph used to produce a coordinated lingerie set — bra and briefs — concretely demonstrating the possibility of closing the loop: from textile waste to new garments. The result achieved so far by Radici InNova, The LYCRA Company and Triumph should be considered a prototype (concept garment) designed to prove the technical feasibility of recycling mixed textiles and lay the groundwork for its future industrialization.

“Although still in its early stages, Triumph is proud to contribute to this pioneering initiative and to explore the potential of this innovative recycling technology for future applications. Our next step will focus on developing a capsule collection, while also working on solutions to ensure product identification, traceability and circularity systems, so that garments can remain in use for as long as possible and, once they reach the end of their life, can be recycled in the most appropriate way. At Triumph, we are committed to promoting innovation and collaboration in the field of sustainability. Being part of this project strengthens our belief that circularity for garments made from mixed textile fibers is possible, and we are proud to help turn this vision into reality,” said Vera Galarza, Global Head of Sustainability – Triumph.

• New technology removes barriers to recycling polyester-based garments at scale
• System combines Meltem Kimya’s patented molecular recycling and Kipas’ thermomechanical recycling to remove colours and accessories
• Platform cuts emissions by 73 percent

KIPAS Textiles, Europe's largest fully integrated textile manufacturer, is launching fibR-e, a new recycling platform designed to finally tackle the hurdles that have stopped polyester from becoming truly circular.

Every year, the fashion industry produces millions of tonnes of polyester-based clothing. Less than 1 percent is recycled back into new garments. Most ends up in landfills or incinerators. It is a waste crisis hiding in plain sight.

Fashion is now facing a reckoning. Regulations across Europe and other regions will require brands to take responsibility for the full lifecycle of their products, and consumers are asking harder questions about sustainability.

fibR-e gives brands a credible way forward. Meltem Kimya converts post-consumer garments containing 70 per cent or more polyester, including polyester-elastane blends, as well as any other polyester-based mixed-fibre blends. Items with trims still attached and mixed-colour feedstocks are converted into high-quality GRS-certified rTEX Chips. KIPAS Textiles then turns these into certified, high-quality filament yarns and staple fibres ready for new collections.

The platform removes accessories during processing rather than through manual sorting, cutting labour and bottlenecks. It decolourises blended fabrics to produce cleaner outputs. At its core is a patented molecular recycling technology developed by Meltem Kimya that breaks polyester down to its building blocks and rebuilds it without creating microplastics, allowing repeated recycling without loss of quality.

Early analysis shows that producing polyester entirely from textile waste through fibR-e cuts emissions by nearly 74 per cent compared with virgin production. "Recycling has barely scratched the surface of the polyester problem," said Halit Gümüser, CEO of KIPAS Textiles. "With fibR-e, we can take real post-consumer waste in all its complexity and return it to the market as certified, high-quality filament yarns and staple fibres. This is how the industry moves from linear to circular, not through pilots but through commercial scale."

fibR-e is built on a multi-year partnership between KIPAS and specialist companies, with Meltem Kimya providing the molecular recycling expertise that underpins the fibR-e platform.

As a global yarn and fabric producer, KIPAS will channel fibR-e materials directly into its own supply chain, enabling bulk production at competitive pricing. The outputs are traceable, performance-tested and designed to meet commercial quality standards while helping brands reduce virgin material use and prepare for stricter regulations.

fibR-e marks a turning point. It shows that closing the loop on polyester waste can now move from ambition to industrial reality.

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.

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.

Fashion for Good launches the first open-source blueprint for near-net-zero textile manufacturing, tackling one of fashion’s biggest emissions hotspots. Developed under the Future Forward Factory project, the blueprint offers Tier 2 manufacturers in India five practical, financially viable pathways to reduce carbon emissions by up to 93%. 

The urgent need for practical decarbonisation strategies
Textile dyeing, treatment, and finishing facilities (Tier 2 of the fashion supply chain) are a major source of pollution and emissions. These wet processes consume high amounts of water, energy, and chemicals, yet manufacturers face a tangle of barriers: prohibitive upgrade costs, a fragmented approach, and no clear path forward. Without a holistic playbook, decarbonisation remains out of reach and unjustified for most, hindering the industry’s biggest opportunity to decarbonise.
 
A blueprint for scaling the future of textile manufacturing
Developed as part of the Future Forward Factories project, this one-of-its-kind blueprint is freely available to manufacturers, brands, bringing together energy interventions, disruptive process innovations and best-in-class technologies. 

Designed as a practical guide for Tier 2 textile manufacturers in India producing cotton knits and wovens, the blueprint launches today through Fashion for Good. The initiative is backed by catalytic funders Laudes Foundation and H&M Foundation, as well as Apparel Impact Institute, IDH, and on-the-ground experts Bluwin, Wazir Advisors, Grant Thornton Bharat, and Sattva Consulting. Arvind Mills serves as the anchor partner supporting the blueprint’s development in India.

The blueprint provides five tailored pathways based on product type and production process, identifying best available technologies and innovative processes to achieve near-net-zero operations. In case of full implementation of all processes and infrastructure upgrades, factories can achieve up to: 

• 93% reduction in carbon emissions
• 33% reduction in water usage and 
• 41% reduction in electricity consumption.

Critically, each pathway includes financial analysis (payback periods, internal rates of return, and net present value calculations), revealing where additional support is needed. The blueprint also incorporates a Policy Landscape Overview that maps available government incentives, and includes a “How to Navigate” section enabling manufacturers to identify the scenario most applicable to them.

“The Future Forward Factory blueprint removes the guesswork and delivers a pragmatic solution to a complex problem,” said Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good. “By making this knowledge freely available, we are systematically dismantling the biggest barrier to decarbonisation: the lack of a clear, implementable ‘how-to.’ Every manufacturer now has access to concrete guidance and validated financial data. This is more than a roadmap; it is the essential guide for the industry’s factory transformation.”

Fashion for Good aims to support a selected set of manufacturers in India to retrofit their facilities with the help of this blueprint, with the support of Apparel Impact Institute (Aii). Selected facilities will gain hands-on guidance, technical expertise, and financial clarity to implement the blueprint. Manufacturers interested in taking part in the programme can register their interest here. 

 “As we build this facility, we are committed to sharing what we will learn. The Future Forward Factory blueprint is proof that a holistic understanding of the decarbonisation journey can unlock an investment case and create operational efficiencies for long-term profitability. Moving from assessments to the actual deployment of solutions.” Abhishek Bansal, SVP-Sustainability at Arvind Mills.

Moving beyond theory, the blueprint‘s viability will be concretely demonstrated by Fashion for Good and Arvind. The partners are aiming to transition from concept to reality and are in the process of exploring the set-up of the first Future Forward factory using this blueprint. This near-net-zero textile production facility will function as a demonstrative, operational proof of concept and will set the foundation for future blueprints, which Fashion for Good is already looking to develop in South Asia and Latin America, developing bespoke solutions to suit the diverse needs of different manufacturing contexts. 

To get the blueprint, please visit the Fashion for Good website at this link.

Archroma, a leader in specialty chemicals, confirmed its commitment to advancing circularity for the textile industry with ten product groups achieving Cradle to Cradle Certified® Material Health Gold level under Version 4.0 of the standard.

Representing dozens of Archroma brands and approximately 200 individual products, the certifications are an assurance of safety and sustainability under a leading multi-attribute standard. This means that textile mills and fashion brands can confidently use these products to help achieve Cradle to Cradle certification on their finished fabrics and garments as retailers and consumers embrace the circular economy.

The Cradle to Cradle Material Health standard evaluates the chemical composition of products for safety to humans and the environment. This provides the foundation for circularity because safe chemicals are essential for safe recycling and composting.

“Our goal is to exceed industry standards and help lead the shift to cleaner chemistries and a more sustainable world,” Dhirendra Gautam, Global VP Commercial, Archroma, said. “The Cradle to Cradle label is becoming increasingly significant at the brand and mill level. We believe in transparency and supporting our partners to make informed decisions that not only prioritize human health and the environment, but also bring production resource savings and improve the durability of end products.”

Archroma’s SUPER SYSTEMS+ solutions matrix quantifies these factors. It allows industry professionals to combine processing solutions and intelligent effects for specific end uses while delivering measurable environmental impact. Cradle to Cradle-certified Archroma products will generally be found within the Impact and Impact+ categories.

Archroma’s Cradle to Cradle Certified® product portfolio spans reactive, acid, disperse, indigo and sulfur dyes; a full series of chemical products such as pretreatment and sizing, optical brightening agents, dyeing auxiliaries and flame retardants. It includes DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK, the most sustainable sulfur black in the market; AVITERA SE®, a revolutionary resource-saving reactive dye range; the revolutionary Blue Magic pretreatment concept which comprise of the all-in-one IMEROL® BLUE bleaching auxiliary, which saves water and speeds processing time, SIRRIX® NE LIQ, a biodegradable neutralizing agent with precise control across the whole pH range and BACTOSOL® SAP NEW LIQ, an anti-peroxide enzymes that remove residual bleaching agents before dyeing; industry-leading high fastness and phenol/bisphenol compound-free color blocking ERIOFAST® dyes for polyamide; TERASIL® WW dye range with outstanding washfastness for high-performance polyester and its blends; and ULTRAPHOR® optical brightening agents that deliver outstanding results on synthetic fibers, fabrics and finished garments.

TrusTrace, a leader in supply chain traceability and compliance, announced a strategic partnership with Åhléns, one of Sweden’s most iconic retail brands, to enhance traceability, improve sustainability risk management, and streamline compliance across its value chain.

Åhléns offers a curated mix of quality brands across fashion, home, beauty, and children’s products, serving approximately 60 million visitors each year. Åhléns has a turnover of approximately 4.9 billion SEK and the company employs around 3,000 team members and includes Åhléns Outlet and Designtorget as subsidiaries.

Founded in 189 and following a period of renewed focus on restoring profitability and establishing a stronger foundation for the future, Åhléns is now accelerating its sustainability agenda. As part of this next phase, the company has selected TrusTrace to help deepen visibility into the supply chain, strengthen risk mitigation, and streamline adherence to emerging European sustainability regulations.

TrusTrace’s AI-integrated traceability platform will support Åhléns in mapping and analyzing sustainability data across multiple tiers of the supply chain, enabling a more structured, scalable, and data-driven approach to due diligence and regulatory compliance.

The partnership reflects a broader industry movement toward stronger traceability infrastructure, particularly as the EU introduces new legislation requiring brands to demonstrate robust due diligence, transparent data collection, and responsible sourcing.

Hong Kong–based New Focus Textiles is adopting Haelixa’s Swiss DNA traceability technology to strengthen trust and transparency in recycled cotton production. 

Haelixa, the Swiss-based global leader in DNA-based traceability, has enabled New Focus Textiles to provide forensic proof of recycled cotton content across its textile-to-textile manufacturing operations. This marks a significant move towards evidence-based verification in recycled material sourcing, addressing one of the main credibility gaps in the circular materials market.  

DNA-based forensic traceability for recycled cotton  
Haelixa’s DNA marker is applied directly to post-industrial and post-consumer waste, before shredding, staying intact through New Focus Textiles’ mechanical recycling process. The non-toxic DNA marker, which is derived from Swiss mountain herbs, is a permanent tag, and cannot be removed or copied, remaining embedded throughout spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing.  

At any point, the material can be tested in an accredited laboratory using a simple PCR analysis to confirm origin and verify the presence of recycled content. This method provides physical proof of the recycled fibre identity, going beyond certification schemes that rely on documentation and chain-of-custody declarations.  

Strengthening supply chain assurance  
New Focus Textiles produces GRS-certified recycled cotton fabrics from post-industrial and post-consumer feedstock under its T2T™ (Textile-to-Textile) programme. The integration of Haelixa’s DNA-based traceability ensures each recycled batch is scientifically identifiable and can be aligned with digital records on platforms such as TextileGenesis, enhancing material transparency at supplier, auditor, and brand level.  

Preparing for regulatory compliance  
The system supports upcoming EU Digital Product Passport requirements and wider regulatory scrutiny over green claims. It reduces reputational and compliance risk for brands that prioritise recycled materials. 

ALLIED Feather + Down, NetPlus®, PERTEX, and Resortecs, leaders in circularity, recycling, and advanced materials, are joining forces with the Swedish backcountry ski apparel makers at Peak Performance to introduce a paradigm-shifting circular jacket.

Until now, performance products that combine multiple materials, such as natural down insulation, zippers, and elastic trims, have been nearly impossible to recycle due to the complexity of disassembly at the end-of-life. By working with the circularity leaders at ALLIED, NetPlus, and Resortecs, Peak Performance designed and built the R&D Helium Loop Anorak, proving that advanced design, in collaboration with the right partners, can create real change. 

“For years now, brands have wanted to introduce more circularity into their products, but the onus has fallen on their ingredient partners and startups to make that happen,” said Matthew Betcher, Creative Director with ALLIED. “The reality is that garments need to be designed for circularity before any sense of recyclability can even start to be possible. That is why we are excited to bring our areas of expertise as innovative ingredient brands to Peak Performance to build, from the very beginning, a truly circular product. And what is even more exciting is that this project can stand as a beacon for entire product lines in the future.”

Each Peak Performance partner brings a unique aspect to this product. 

ALLIED supplies the 800-fill power down, which is a renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable insulation, making it perfect for this collaboration. NetPlus is fishing net waste, rescued before it pollutes the ocean, re-engineered into 100% PCR nylon yarn. NetPlus yarn is then woven by PERTEX to create the shell and liner for the Helium Loop. Resortecs makes Smart Stitch™, a heat-activated thread that enables easy material separation. At the end of the product’s lifespan, the stitching melts away with Smart Disassembly™ under controlled conditions, allowing the down plumes and shell material to be taken apart and recycled individually. 

Speaking about the project, designer Marie Andersson commented, “The core insight is that true circularity isn't about accepting compromises, it's about engineering garments to be unmade as thoughtfully as they're made. Our R&D Helium Loop proves that when premium materials meet thoughtful disassembly design with end-of-life in mind, circularity becomes a performance advantage as every component maintains its highest value across multiple lifecycles.”

David Stover, CEO of Bureo, the company behind NetPlus, added, "The Helium Loop R&D project demonstrates how responsible materials and design can prevent pollution and reduce reliance on fossil fuels – a win for the outdoor community. Technical outerwear is typically built from crude oil (virgin plastic), an outdated model that negatively impacts people and the planet through the entire supply chain. By connecting better materials with thoughtful design, the Peak Performance team was able to explore the worthwhile challenge of building products suited for end-of-life recycling and push forward on the industry transition away from fossil fuels."

The Helium R&D Helium Loop Anorak marks another step in Peak Performance’s long-term commitment to total range circularity by 2030.