Primary Functions
- Learn industry trends on preferred fibers and their sustainability impact.
Detailed Description
This report brings recognition of the progress being made but also a reality check that there is much more to do.
It’s clear that our economic system is changing, with a greater focus on circularity and moving beyond purely financial capital. The language of the Sustainable Development Goals is influencing our industry and it’s good to see the industry get behind the Science Based Targets.
While macro-level drivers for change are getting stronger, we also know that, overall, consumption continues to grow. More people are buying more stuff. The circular economy is going to be key to a more sustainable future, but the size of the circle also needs to shrink and slow down.
We are learning that more companies are managing a portfolio of preferred fibers, rather than focusing on an individual one, and we are coming to understand how managing a portfolio mix properly can have just as much sustainability impact as targeting one specific fiber.
For this Series Textile Exchange asked fiber and materials experts “inside” the industry for their personal account of working in this space.
Key findings in the report include that among the reporting companies:
- Organic and other preferred cottons represent 47% of total cotton usage.
- Recycled polyester usage grew by 58%.
- Lyocell usage grew by 128%.
- Preferred down (the majority of which is certified to TE’s Responsible Down Standard) grew by 54%.
- More companies are managing a portfolio mix of fibers rather than focusing on an individual one.
- Companies are beginning to mobilize and gear up for circularity.
Textile Exchange has expanded its Preferred Fiber & Materials market reporting categories to reflect the growth and expansion of company portfolios. PFM Leaderboards now cover all of the major preferred cottons, recycled polyester, preferred man made cellulosic and preferred down.
