Balena Weekly News Roundup

Welcome to Balena Weekly News, your source for the latest updates and insights from the forefront of sustainable fashion. 

This week, we delve into key industry events, groundbreaking collaborations, and significant strides in circularity and sustainability. From showcasing our innovative materials at Texworld NYC to discussing pivotal findings from the Circular Fashion Index, we're dedicated to advancing towards a more sustainable future for fashion.

Let's dive in!

Headed to Texworld New York City

We're heading to NYC for the Texworld New York City this week from the 16-18 July to showcase our innovative biobased and compostable BioCir® materials. It's an honor to be part of this global platform, where we're driving material innovation alongside other industry leaders. Thank you to Thomasine Dolan Dow and Material Innovation Initiative for inviting Balena to join the Next-Gen Innovation Hub! We are looking forward to it!

2024 Circular Fashion Index Reveals Encouraging Growth in Global Sustainability Efforts

Kearney's latest Circular Fashion Index (CFX) report reveals a positive shift in the sustainability landscape, with the average CFX score for 235 global brands rising by 8% to 3.2 on a scale of 1 to 10. This annual index evaluates brands based on their circularity performance, assessing factors such as design for longevity, end-of-life management, and the use of recycled materials.

Notably, the report highlights significant improvements among leading fashion brands, with some achieving remarkable advancements in their circularity efforts. The index also underscores the increasing importance of regulatory frameworks and consumer demand in driving sustainable practices within the fashion industry.

At Balena, we are encouraged by these findings as they align with our mission. The growing emphasis on circularity, as evidenced by the CFX, supports our dedication to developing cutting-edge materials and solutions. This upward trend is a promising sign of progress and a testament to the industry's collective commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Read the full index here >>>

Zellerfeld's Open Platform: Democratizing Footwear Innovation and Sustainability

Zellerfeld, known for its 3D-printed footwear, has launched its Open Platform, marking a significant move towards democratizing the footwear industry. Previously in Open Beta, the platform is now fully accessible to anyone interested in designing and producing footwear. This democratization aims to break down barriers that traditionally limited access to footwear production, reducing development times from months to days and allowing global launch within 24 hours of design upload. CEO Cornelius Schmitt describes this as a transformative move against the industry's exclusivity, shifting towards openness and accessibility. The platform also offers made-to-measure and pre-order options, minimizing waste and ensuring a precise fit through smartphone-scanned foot dimensions. Zellerfeld’s Open Platform represents a forward-thinking approach merging sustainability with innovation, empowering creatives globally to shape the future of footwear.

Read about the open platform here >>>

Global Fashion Leaders Unite to Decarbonize Supply Chains: The Future Supplier Initiative

On June 13, 2024, major global fashion brands including Bestseller, Gap Inc., H&M Group, and Mango announced their participation in the Future Supplier Initiative, a collaborative effort to decarbonize the fashion sector. Facilitated by The Fashion Pact in partnership with the Apparel Impact Institute, Guidehouse, and DBS Bank, this initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting apparel suppliers in adopting energy-efficient technologies and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Starting with a program in Bangladesh, the initiative plans to expand to other key manufacturing regions globally. It offers financial incentives and technical support to accelerate decarbonization efforts in garment and textile factories, helping suppliers meet Science Based Targets (SBTs) and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Read more about the pact here >>>

Quiksilver's Innovative Approach to Recycling: Upcycled Sunglasses from Wetsuit Remnants

Quiksilver, renowned for its outdoor sports gear, has taken a progressive step with a recycling initiative. Partnering with Oceneo, they've crafted sustainable sunglasses from damaged wetsuits. Each wetsuit can produce frames for four pairs of sunglasses using neoprene and pine resin, with bio-bylon lenses. Although limited to 150 pairs initially, this project marks Quiksilver's commitment to sustainability and hints at future recycling endeavors. The initiative showcases their dedication to thoughtful innovation in reducing environmental impact, setting a promising precedent for future initiatives in recycling and sustainability within the brand.

Read more here >>>

Why Global EPR Policy is Crucial for Circular Fashion's Future

A great article in Just-style highlights the importance of a global Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for the fashion industry, essential for fostering a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's report emphasizes the need for comprehensive infrastructure to manage textile waste, urging global collaboration. EPR policies should aim to increase textile collection, reuse, and recycling rates while reducing waste volumes. It calls for brands and retailers to adopt circular design principles and business models. Voluntary business actions and investments in infrastructure are crucial for accelerating progress toward a sustainable fashion industry.

Read the full article here >>>

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of sustainable fashion, Balena remains committed to pioneering innovation and fostering collaboration. Inspired by the progress highlighted in the Circular Fashion Index and dedicated reports on textile waste management, we continue to push boundaries and lead by example. 

Stay tuned as we journey towards a more sustainable future for fashion together.Balena Weekly News Roundup