Kicking off 2021, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals’ (ZDHC) has welcomed three textile companies as contributors to its growing community.
Finland-based Spinnova joins the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero program to contribute to crafting how harmful chemicals can be avoided.
“We want to help promote a cleaner textile industry in any way we can, based on our experience of a material innovation that involves no harmful chemicals,” Spinnova CEO and co-founder Janne Poranen said.
Spinnova’s breakthrough technology involves using wood- or waste-based raw material that is mechanically refined and dry spun into filament. Fiber produced this way produces no side or waste streams, including zero-waste water.
As Spinnova approaches the commercial production phase and develops yarn and fabric, it is also developing sustainable finishing treatments that will commit to the ZDHC Manufacturers Restricted Substance List (MRSL). Spinnova has partnered with brands such as Bergans of Norway, Bestseller and Marimekko.
ZDHC is a group of apparel and footwear brands and retailers working together to lead the industry toward zero discharge of hazardous chemicals. ZDHC enables a cleaner industry of the future by, for example, finding safer alternatives and managing the Manufacturing Restricted Substances List. The MRSL supports good chemical management by helping avoid the use of banned substances during production and manufacturing.
Eastman Naia cellulosic fiber joined ZDHC last month. U.S.-based Eastman’s Naia offers a sustainable fiber choice for women’s wear fabrics. Its cellulosic fiber is made with sustainably sourced wood pulp, is fully traceable, certified biodegradable and produced in a closed-loop process where solvents are recycled back into the process for reuse.
Joining as an associate is IDH-The Sustainable Trade Initiative, which encourages joint investment and collaboration in innovative models to realize long-term solutions for environmentally and socially sustainable production and trade. Headquartered in The Netherlands and funded by different governments and foundations, IDH operates globally in different industry sectors ranging from cotton and apparel to coffee and tea.
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Also this week, Eurofins Softlines and Leather announce that four of its laboratories have received ZDHC Roadmap to Zero MRSL conformance for buyers and suppliers worldwide.
The factories are located in the key textile, apparel and leather manufacturing areas of Gurgaon, India; Como, Italy; Alicante, Spain, and Istanbul, Turkey. Eurofins said the “expansion in geographical coverage will augment our certification services, driving the industry towards a safer, cleaner and greener supply chain.”