Problem Statement
With the global average temperature projected to rise by, or even exceed, 3°C this century — well beyond the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement, drastically curbing industry GHG emissions is an unequivocal and necessary action that must be taken in order to limit global warming.
In the fashion industry, Scope 3 emissions represent an organisation’s most significant greenhouse gas impact. On average, 96% of emissions stem from Scope 3 across those fashion brands with approved science based targets (SBTs). 55% of emissions come from Tier 2, which is material production, so there is a huge opportunity to reduce impact in this stage of the supply chain. Equally pressing is the industry’s significant water footprint, which strains planetary boundaries and impacts global water resources. As well as its use of often hazardous and synthetic chemistry.
What do we hope to achieve by working in this area?
Decarbonising the supply chain is essential, with near short-term solutions like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and phasing out coal offering around 45% emissions reduction potential. However, to achieve net zero, innovation is key, contributing 36% (0.9 Gt of CO2) of the required reduction.
Fashion for Good aims to transform the apparel industry by driving the commercial adoption of such innovations for example next-gen materials, chemistry and mostly dry processes. This required collective action from all stakeholders in the industry such as brands, manufacturers, innovators, and investors. Our bold ambition is to enable embedding these innovations in the supply chain spread across geographies. To make this happen, we have to look at all solutions consequently and to avoid the carbon tunnel syndrome and holistically evaluate carbon emissions along with water, chemistry and other impact lenses. By 2030, we hope to create enough evidence that innovations have commercial viability and need to work in tandem with existing solutions to reach the next zero targets.
How do we address this area?
Working with our brand and manufacturing partners, we identify key areas contributing to increased emissions and create targeted projects and working groups focused on these areas. We are setting up industry defining initiatives to discover the possibilities and demonstrate the future realities.
Fashion for Good is focusing on driving the adoption of sustainable innovations to close the decarbonisation gap, while reducing water and chemistry use. Amongst others, we are working on initiatives to accelerate the adoption of next-gen and preferred materials, including textile recycling and bio-based fabrics, while helping transition to mostly dry processing by replacing current processes with technologies that require little to no water.
PROCESSING MACHINERY
Pretreatment
Pretreatment in textile processing involves preparing fibres, yarns, or fabrics for subsequent steps like dyeing and finishing. This stage typically includes desizing, scouring, and bleaching to remove impurities, enhance absorbency, and ensure uniform dye uptake. Traditionally, these processes are water-intensive, occurring in large tanks or baths maintained at high temperatures.
Colouration
Processing machinery for colouration in textiles includes digital printing, ozone treatments, and laser technology. Digital printing applies designs directly onto fabrics with minimal water and energy use. Ozone treatments clean or bleach garments, reducing resource consumption. Laser technology creates patterns and finishes, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional methods.
Finishing
Processing machinery for textile finishing encompasses equipment used in the final stages of textile manufacturing to enhance fabric performance and aesthetics. These machines facilitate processes such as calendering, raising, and chemical treatments, which improve properties like smoothness, luster, and durability.
PROCESSING CHEMISTRY
Pretreatment Consumables
In textile processing, pretreatment consumables are chemicals used to prepare fabrics for subsequent treatments like dyeing and finishing. These include agents for desizing, scouring, bleaching, and mercerising, which clean and modify fibres to enhance dye uptake and fabric quality.
Dyeing Consumables
Dyeing consumables are materials used in textile dyeing processes, including dyes, chemicals, water, and energy and can be made from plant based substances, Algae & Co2. These inputs are essential for pretreatment, coloration, and finishing stages to achieve desired fabric properties. Optimising consumable use is crucial for sustainability, as dyeing consumes significant resources.
Finishing Consumables
ENERGY TRANSITION
Electrification
The energy transition involves shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, emphasizing electrification to reduce carbon emissions. In the fashion industry, this includes adopting renewable electricity and enhancing energy efficiency in stores, offices, and distribution centres.
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and Heat Batteries
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) involves capturing heat for later use, enhancing energy efficiency and supporting the shift to renewable sources. Heat batteries are a form of TES that store thermal energy, providing heating or cooling on demand. In the textile industry, TES can aid in decarbonising processes by improving energy efficiency.
Biomass
Biomass energy involves converting organic materials into heat, electricity, or biofuels. In fashion, it offers renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, aiding decarbonisation. However, its sustainability depends on responsible sourcing and processing to avoid environmental harm.
Related Projects
D(R)YE Factory of the Future
Fashion for Good launched D(R)YE Factory of the Future in January 2022 in collaboration with brand partners Kering, adidas, PVH Corp. and manufacturing partners Arvind Limited and Welspun India with the aim of validating the most promising technology combinations in pretreatment and colouration processing steps to support the widespread adoption of mostly waterless innovations within the textile industry.
From Waste to Black Pigment
The aim of the project was to validate the use of black pigments derived from waste materials to replace conventional carbon black from virgin fossil fuels in dope dyeing applications. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of textile dyeing by using renewable, eco-friendly pigments sourced from waste.
Dyestuff Library
This project was designed to address the gap in knowledge and infrastructure for sustainable dyes by developing a tool to identify, assess, and select innovative dyestuffs based on specific metrics and fabric requirements. The project collaborates with brands, supply chain partners, and industry stakeholders to conduct comprehensive evaluations, aiming to facilitate an industry shift toward sustainable dye options. Structured in multiple rounds, each involving five innovators, the project includes trials at both lab and pilot scales, with support and guidance for participating innovators.
Advanced Processing Matrix
The Advanced Processing Matrix (APM) project came as a next step to the D(R)YE Factory of the Future project. It aims to continue Fashion for Good’s efforts to accelerate the shift from wet to mostly dry processing in the fashion industry by validating and scaling innovative textile processing technologies.
Future Forward Factories
The “Future Forward Factories” project, initiated by Fashion for Good, focuses on transforming tier 2 processing in the textile industry through innovative low-impact, decarbonisation solutions. It aims to generate actionable blueprints for factories of the future that combine renewable energy and technology upgradation including mostly dry processing innovations. These blueprints take into account the macro geographical factors that are customised for every product to achieve next-zero facilities with a strong return on investment.
Relevant Resources
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