Solution-dyed polyester, recycled polymer polyester and bio-based polyamide are some of the kinds of low environmental impact yarns produced by RadiciGroup specifically for the fashion industry. According to the company, the fashion world is finally addressing sustainability and looking for materials that are not only beautiful and strong, but also sustainable.

The RadiciGroup product portfolio addressing these new market requirements is described in the recently published book Neo-materials in the Circular Economy – Fashion, available now in bookshops in both Italian and English versions. The book is edited by Marco Ricchetti in collaboration with Blumine Srl and the Italian sustainable fashion social network Sustainability-lab.

The section about the Group, “RadiciGroup and the Future of Synthetic Fibres”, written by Aurora Magni, appears in the first chapter of the book and can also be read on the RadiciGroup website. The book also offers numerous in-depth articles to provide an overall picture of the direction of the fashion industry, the company explains.

Meeting diverse market needs

“RadiciGroup can play a leading role in the fashion value chain as the ideal upstream supplier,” said Oscar Novali, business area manager of RadiciGroup Comfort Fibres. “RadiciGroup has long been well-equipped to satisfy the most diverse market needs for the supply of both small and large quantities of materials, including reduced environmental impact products.”

“Over the years, our competence has expanded and we’ve invested in new technologies and up-to-date production plants, which set us apart from our competitors and make sustainability a competitive advantage. Our over 75 years of experience in the fibres industry and our vertically integrated polyamide production allow us to claim that we’re one of the best-qualified producers on the market.”

“Furthermore, many of our production units are already ISO 14001-certified, or soon will be, and, for over a decade now, we’ve reported on our business activities and published a Group Sustainability Report, aiming for transparency and information sharing with all our stakeholders.”

Raw materials

The book starts from an analysis of materials, divided into three large areas (renewable, non-renewable and recyclable), then discusses topics, such as fibre sustainability, water usage and the use of chemicals, and concludes with an overview of the sustainability initiatives promoted by brands, both big and small.

“Raw materials have a decisive impact on the degree of sustainability of the final products,” stated Aurora Magni, president of Blumine Srl. “In recent years, many fibre manufacturers have invested in research and experimentation in order to realize aesthetically attractive, high performance products that are consistent with the sustainable values of the circular economy.”

“Together with product innovation, it is also important to implement monitoring and checking procedures in order to weigh the CO2 emissions of the various materials and opt for those resulting in the least environmental impact. This is the approach RadiciGroup has chosen, with the firm belief: ‘if you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it’.”

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