Japan's Fast Retailing signs Microfibre 2030 commitment

The commitment aims to eliminate the environmental impact from microfibres, with 250 companies joining as signatories by 2030. These companies will conduct tests on their products and manufacturing processes, and contribute data to build an industry-wide database and assessment system. The objective is to have 80 per cent of member companies adopt research-based microfibre standards in their products and manufacturing processes, so that the release of microfibres into the environment is appropriately managed, Fast Retailing said in a press release.

Fast Retailing will conduct prescribed fabric testing annually through 2023 and provide the data to TMC. This will be combined with data from member companies in a database, and used to develop tools and resources for the entire industry to achieve the commitment. Fast Retailing will utilise this data and knowledge to implement measures to limit microfibres from its products and manufacturing processes and, by expanding best practices to the industry as a whole, contribute to achieving the commitment.

Fast Retailing considers the environmental impact of microfibres to be a priority issue. Going forward, the company will continue to work with the industry and enhance measures to minimise the release of microfibres into the environment throughout the product lifecycle. Fast Retailing first joined TMC as an associate member in September 2019.

The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) is a cross-industry, membership non-profit organisation that facilitates the development of practical solutions for the textile industry to minimise fibre fragmentation and release of fibres to the environment from textile manufacturing and product life cycle. TMC supports the use of production processes backed by academic research, providing manufacturing plants, retailers, and suppliers with concrete solutions that protect ecosystems.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)