Coats Group plc has taken a step forward in its sustainability journey launching its newest recycled polyester thread; the Eco-B. Coats Group plc, is taking a leap towards bringing down pollution caused by microfibre plastic by launching its newest sustainable product Eco-B powered by CiCLO technology. Eco-B is a recycled polyester thread, that incorporates an additive from CiCLO to reduce synthetic fibre accumulation in landfills and oceans. This technology is known to create biodegradable ‘spots’ in the polymer matrix, where naturally-occurring microbes in certain environments can break down the plastics just as they do with natural fibres. Last November, Coats made a commitment to move all products to environmentally friendly materials and chemicals, in its journey towards a sustainable future. The launch of Eco-B is a part of this Eco Journey roadmap to produce innovative sustainable products, which supports Coats’ drive towards a circular economy. This journey started with EcoVerde in 2018, which is now one of the most comprehensive ranges of 100% recycled polyester threads, zips and trims on the market, followed by EcoRegen, a 100% lyocell thread that matches the material of the garments more closely, and EcoCycle, which was one of the first water dissolvable threads of its kind. The product director of apparel and footwear at Coats, Sonya Manolova, commented: “Eco B is a recycled thread that has all the durability of virgin materials, but doesn’t stay around to pollute our oceans and increase landfill. This solution brings us one step closer to reducing the problem of plastic pollution by allowing synthetic plastic fibres to behave more like natural fibres.”

US sportswear giant Under Armour is prioritising the use of recycled and renewable materials, and has pledged to implement sustainability and circular design principles in at least half of its products by 2027. Under Armour made the pledges in its latest Sustainability & Impact Report, which outlines a new sustainability framework, goals, and targets to reduce the company’s environmental footprint associated with its products and operations while accelerating its social and community impact. Aligned with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainable Accounting Standard Board (SASB) industry standards, the report outlines 23 goals and targets designed to drive company progress across three key pillars — products, home field, and team. “We believe Under Armour has an important role to play in addressing impending challenges facing our society, industry, and planet. This belief informs our innovation methods and compels us to rethink, reinvent, and reimagine our products and how we make them in our work to support athletes and protect people and our shared planet,” said Colin Browne, Under Armour interim president and CEO. He continued: “Mindful that lasting change will require global cooperation across communities and industries, our new report conveys our renewed commitments to continuous improvement, industrywide collaboration, and transparent communication with our stakeholders in our ongoing sustainability journey.”  

AMSTERDAM – The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) has welcomed a new cohort of fashion brands and manufacturers, including the likes of Arvind Limited, G-Star Raw, Norlanka Manufacturing and Bonprix, as contributors to the framework.  The companies will help promote the initiative’s ambitions by championing organic cotton cultivation and utilisation both within their supply chains and amongst their peers. Stefanie Sumfleth, Bonprix’s VP of corporate responsibility and technical product, commented: “By 2025, at least 25 per cent of the cotton we use should be fully certified and traceable – from the fields to the finished product. We believe that contributing to the OCA is an important step in achieving our goal while leveraging the strength of the industry for change.”