Strategies for reducing carbon footprint

Spurred by these factors, the textile industry and players across the value chain have adopted various strategies for reducing the carbon footprint. Besides the textile industiy s switch to more energy efficient processes, companies across the supply chain have also pitched in with innovative products with smaller carbon footprints. 

DuPont, the US-based chemicals major, which revolutionised the fibre industry with the introduction of man-made fibres like nylon, rayon and spandex now offers Sorona, a polymer which is made with agricultural feedstock instead of petrochemicals. Sorona has high renewable ingredients content - 37 per cent by weight. 

Fabrics made with Sorona provide a 30 per cent carbon dioxide reduetion, while the Sorona manufacturing process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 63 per cent as compared to conventional nylon made fixrm petroleum. 

US-based Gaston Systems has developed an innovative machine that applies finishes to fabrics using foam, which conserves water. 

Himtsman, a Swiss company, is a leading supplier of dyes. The company has developed inks from the dyes which can be used in a digital printer for printing on fabries just like the inks in an office printer. Digital printing wastes neither fabrie nor ink and does not use harmful salts and significantly reduces the environmental footprint. 

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