News, 31.3.2021

Event recap: From Waste to Fashion – Solutions for Fashion Brands in Transition to Greener Future

At Circular City Week New York 2021, the Consulate General of Finland and Business Finland presented a panel discussion tackling the urgent environmental challenges in the textile and fashion industries and introduced compelling case examples on transforming these industries with innovations from Finland.

Photo: Aalto University Shimmering Wood Colors, Valeria Azovskaya.

What can we do better in terms of using new types of recyclable material innovations with less harmful impact on the environment, textile treatment, recycling, and waste handling, all the way to educating future designers? How can different fashion industry actors support the transition to circularity and sustainable development on their ends?

The fashion industry contributes to 10% of CO2, and new sustainable solutions are needed for each stage of a textile's life cycle. In 2017, of the 16.9 million tons of textile waste generated in the United States, only 15.2% was recycled, which resulted in 11.2 million tons of textile waste ending up in landfills or being burned. Yet, fiber and textiles' consumption continues to increase annually, with current raw materials from cotton to polyester unable to meet the growing demand.

Consequently, the textile and fashion industries are pinpointed as critical sectors in the transition to a circular economy. We are starting to witness systemic changes in these industries, and Finland wants to help fashion and textile brands reduce their environmental impact with smart and innovative solutions.

Finland is leading the transition towards sustainable materials and business models in the textile business. Finland is a pioneer in sustainable textiles, from producing sustainable fibers out of waste and wood side streams to utilizing recycled materials in novel end-user applications within a comprehensive recycled textile ecosystem. These innovations are backed up by Finland's aim to become carbon neutral by 2035 with the help of the world's first national roadmap to the circular economy, published in 2016.

Watch the event recording

Keynote speech: "Finnish Innovations as Transition Enablers"

Panel discussion: "How to Support Circular Economy and Sustainability in Textile Industry"

Company showcases

  • Spinnova(Link to another website.): a cellulose fiber startup who just announced they'll build a plant in Finland with Brazilian pulp group Suzano(Link to another website.) to make sustainable textile fiber from wood and waste, and the commercial production should begin by the end of 2022. H&M is one of the new brand partners of Spinnova.
  • Aalto University: Ioncell(Link to another website.), a technology that turns used textiles, pulp, or even old newspapers into new textile fibers sustainably. The process converts cellulose into fibers which in turn can be made into long-lasting fabrics.
  • Aalto University: Shimmering Wood Colors(Link to another website.) offer a sustainable alternative to the toxic pigments and plastic-based materials used in the fashion industry, by creating a color with a shiny and glittery effect using only a thin layer of nanocellulose and no chemicals or metals. This color does not fade in sunlight.
  • NordShield(Link to another website.): For the protection of life, NordShield® has harnessed the ancient power of Nordic forests. Its technology provides a natural-based antimicrobial solution that inactivates bacteria, viruses, and fungi – it is biotechnology with the unique combination of naturality and power.
  • Coveross(Link to another website.): combines sustainable virgin and recycled materials with high-value 15+ functional properties for active lifestyle and wellbeing. Their customers and partners are brands, retail, workwear, and textile rental companies. Currently, they are developing smartwear and upcycling solutions.
  • Touchpoint(Link to another website.): a forerunner in sustainable workwear with a passion for developing circular solutions for their industry. Their goal is to offer the widest selection of environmentally preferred materials and carbon-neutral workwear by 2023. Already now they're committed to taking back and recycling all textiles that they deliver to their customers.
  • Woodly(Link to another website.): has developed a carbon-neutral bio-based plastic from cellulose that can be used to replace traditional fossil-based plastics, e.g., in packaging. 
  • RePack(Link to another website.): helps over 150 apparel brands and retailers to move away from single-use in Europe and North America: reusable packaging, return logistics, and a reward system.

Read more (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)about the Circular City Week New York. 

More information and inquiries:

 

Sanna Andersson

Adviser, Commercial and Trade Affairs

Consulate General of Finland in New York

sanna.andersson (at) formin.fi

 

Anssi Vallius

Adviser, Cultural Affairs and Creative Industries

Consulate General of Finland in New York

anssi.vallius (at) formin.fi