Apparel Online India 1-15 July' 17 | Page 18

SUSTAINABILITY HAVE YOUR SAY BREAKING NEWS Tell us your news by emailing at [email protected] To read the latest sustainability news, go to http://news.apparelresources.com/sustainability-news/  Birla Cellulose Fibres Earn USDA Biobased Certification Moving one step more towards sustainability, Grasim Industries Limited, a flagship company of Aditya Birla Group, has earned the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label for its products – Birla Viscose, Birla Modal and Birla Excel. Grasim Industries Limited is known worldwide for its Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF).Third-party verification for their product’s biobased content is administered through the USDA BioPreferred Program. One of the goals of the BioPreferred Program is to increase the development, purchase and use of biobased products. The USDA Certified Biobased Product label displays a product’s biobased content, which is that portion of a product which comes from a renewable source, such as plant, animal, marine or forestry feedstocks. Utilizing renewable, biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum based chemicals. Biobased products, through petroleum displacement, have played an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate global climate change. These products are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well as or better than their conventional counterparts. “We applaud Grasim Industries Ltd. for earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product label,” said Kate Lewis, USDA BioPreferred Program. She further stated, “Products from Grasim Industries Ltd. are contributing to an ever- expanding marketplace that adds value to renewable agriculture commodities, creates jobs in rural communities and decreases our reliance on petroleum.” Dilip Gaur, MD, Grasim Industries Ltd. shared, “The USDA Biobased certification is another milestone reached in our Sustainability journey and strengthens our belief that Sustainability is at the core of our business strategy.” Rajeev Gopal, Chief Marketing Officer, Birla Cellulose, further added, “This certification reconfirms the natural origin of our products and will enhance the confidence of the value chain players in delivering biobased products.” Bangladesh among Denim North America launches ‘Sustainable R3 10 worst nations for workers: Report Denim' Denim North America (DNA), a division of DNA Textile Group, has launched its next generation ‘Sustainable R3 Denim’ collection called EcoSure BioBlast Denim. The product is being developed by DNA’s close collaboration with US-based sustainable polyester producer Poole Co. According to DNA, EcoSure BioBlast is a biodegradable fibre made from 100 per cent post- consumer recycled water bottles. Before using these fibres in the latest R3 Denim collection, they have been shown to biodegrade in landfill conditions 12 times faster over a year compared to traditional polyester. Furthermore, the unique engineered polymer creates fibres that are soft, durable, strong and provide the performance characteristics that consumers have come to expect from their clothing. Adding on, DNA reports that the growing popularity of performance textiles within the market directly contrasts with the sustainable movement. With more than 81 per cent of textiles making their way into landfills each year, this rise in the use of synthetic fibres means that this textile waste will take much longer to decompose, with some estimates from 20 to 200 years. EcoSure BioBlast Denim solves this issue to a great extent, claims DNA. Lisa Harris, Creative Director, DNA commented, “As wearable function and sustainability are both becoming mainstays in jeanswear, our mission was to c