2010-Environmental Issues and Choices Related to Dyeing and Finishing

Environmental Issues and Choices Related to Dyeing and Finishing

Carl Fortin, Clariant Corp.


Introduction

Sustainability and environmental issues are becoming more and more important to textile
consumers, retailers, dyers, finishers, and textile producers along the whole value chain. Compliance of dyes and chemicals to an ever growing list of international textile standards, such as Restrictive Substance Lists (RSL), Oeko-tex, GOTS, bluesign, REACH, [and others] is already a must.
A heightened need for sustainability, with a focus on environment, health, and safety, further impacts the acceptability of dyes and chemicals during the processing of textiles.
As the ever changing and demanding world of textile standards evolves, the textile supply chain must be prepared to respond and adapt. Transparency through the textile supply chain, to the mill level, is becoming of greater importance to the brand and retailer. Brands and retailers can no longer rely solely on their supplier, whether vendor or mill, to manage this heavy compliance demand. The entire supply chain is challenged to evaluate and reassess traditional processing and sourcing methods.
The textile market is hard fought. To successfully compete now and in the future, you must be better in all areas: much quicker, more creative, and more efficient. Strong partnerships need to be forged with industry experts to strengthen every link of the textile processing chain. This alignment provides the best opportunity to keep pace with compliance, utilize technical product and process advancements for sustainable practices, and generate true supply chain transparency.