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of Milan) to develop new biodegradable products consumer. Therefore, textile manufacturers are
with similar properties like PVA. The strong enabled to export their organic fabrics and
cooperation between company technical skills and garments with one certification accepted in all
several research teams in the world is the key major markets. Another example is the Detox
aspect of Laros’s green horizon. campaign, that since July 2011 has mobilised
hundreds of thousands of people around the world
to challenge major clothing brands to eliminate all
releases of hazardous chemicals from their supply
chains and products. In the last years, Laros is
extremely active to meet these market requests
from its international fashion companies.

Eco-friendly products What could be the role of research organisations to
increase the companies competitiveness -
Universities/research organisations and industry
have been collaborating for over a century, but the
in textile industry Proteic extracts could be a suitable alternatives as green sizing agent (source ENEA Rome) rise of a global knowledge economy has intensified
the need for strategic partnerships that go beyond
the traditional funding of research projects. When
What are the new requests for the future green companies and universities work in tandem to
The new Laros green approach for sizing process textile companies like Laros - Certifications for push the frontiers of knowledge, they become a
textile companies are important for the near future
powerful engine for innovation and economic
of “sustainable industry” at low environmental growth. The assiduous participation in R&D and
impact. The aim of the standards (like GOTS) is to technology transfer projects at national and
What is sustainability and why could be an oppor- flora and fauna. define world-wide recognized requirements that European level have allowed at many organizations
tunity to textile industry - In essence sustainable ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of to consolidate a vast network of links and
development is about five key principles: quality of Is the demand for sustainable textile additives the raw materials, through environmentally and collaborations, with important industrial companies,
life; fairness and equity; participation and partner- high in the market - The demand from product socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling universities, research centres and companies service
ship; care for our environment and respect for companies on sustainable and non¬toxic in order to provide a credible assurance to the end operating in Italy, Europe and wordwide.
ecological constraints recognising that there are chemistry is very strong. Many of the major
'environmental limits'; and thought for the future players in the apparel industry have gone public
and the precautionary principle. In order to create with their intention to phase out conventional
a sustainable textile & apparel industry, a number chemicals. Textile manufacturers supplying the
of challenges need to be addressed in different apparel industry need to cope with these restric-
areas of the textile supply chain. tions and are therefore investing heavily into the
implementation of eco-friendly products. Encour-
What do textile business expect of tomorrow’s age initiatives, project innovation and provide
technologies - The performance enhancements incentives could be the policy key points for the
most expected regard the ability to cut energy development and take-up of environmentally
costs for the production processes. A great deal of friendlier textiles.
importance is related to the versatility of machinery
with a significant implications both on energy How is Laros changing to reach these changes -
consumption and the management of work Textile processing is the major source of industrial ZDHC recognises Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex
processes. One of the priorities is also the reduc- water pollution across the world, and sizing and
tion of chemical products for processes reducing desizing operations account for nearly 30% of the The Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex programme analyses a broad set of chemicals including colorants,
the environmental impacts of many textile manu- water consumed in a textile plant. Polyvinyl alcohol scouring agents, adhesives, inks, pigments, and auxiliaries. Oeko-Tex has announced that the Zero
factures. Textiles production processes such as (PVA) is the non-degradable synthetic polymer that Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme will now accept Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex
sizing, scouring, bleaching, mercerizing, dyeing, dominates sizing chemical market with 2.5% global certification as an indicator of conformance with the organisation’s Manufacturing Restricted Substances
printing, and finishing are characterized by a huge share, and leads to severe pollution. To mitigate List (MRSL) in connection with the ZDHC Gateway - Chemical Module.
consumption of water, energy, and chemicals. The environmental problems caused by
toxic effluent discharge generated in these non-biodegradable synthetic polymers, using The ZDHC’s MRSL covers chemical substances that are limited or banned from intentional use in the
processes mainly contains by-products, residual natural macromolecules as replacements is a production of apparel and footwear materials and trim. Controlling or excluding the use of these
dyes, salts, acids and alkalis, auxiliary chemicals, feasible approach. Laros has established a strong substances supports the ZDHC’s mission of removing hazardous chemicals from the apparel and
and other solvents. Their discharge into neighbor- cooperation between research institutions (i.e. footwear value chain so that they do not harm workers, consumers, or the environment.
ing water bodies is posing a serious threat to the ENEA) and universities (i.e. Polytechnic University

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