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Leading Italian Textile Suppliers Make Landmark Commitment to Detox

On Monday, at a press conference to mark the end of Milan Fashion Week, six of Italy’s biggest textile suppliers made landmark Detox commitments to eliminate hazardous chemicals.The suppliers Miroglio, Berbrand, Attilio Imperiali, Italdenim, Besani and Zip, which produce textile materials and accessories for a number of global luxury and fashion brands, have joined fellow textile producer Canepa, which in October became the first to sign on to Greenpeace’s Detox Solution Commitment.

By Sustainable Brands | Published 10 years ago | About a 2 minute read

On Monday, at a press conference to mark the end of Milan Fashion Week, six of Italy’s biggest textile suppliers made landmark Detox commitments to eliminate hazardous chemicals.

The suppliers Miroglio, Berbrand, Attilio Imperiali, Italdenim, Besani and Zip, which produce textile materials and accessories for a number of global luxury and fashion brands, have joined fellow textile producer Canepa, which in October became the first to sign on to Greenpeace’s Detox Solution Commitment.

Chiara Campione, #TheFashionDuel project leader for Greenpeace Italy, said: “These groundbreaking commitments are proof that beautiful, toxic-free fashion is becoming the industry norm. With these textile suppliers now leading the sector, brands can no longer argue that Detox is not possible. The door is now open for other brands to follow suit.”

Greenpeace Italy estimates that in 2013 alone these six companies produced roughly 25,000 miles of printed textile material, enough to stretch around the Earth’s circumference. Meanwhile, it is estimated that these commitments could, directly or indirectly, impact the production of roughly 70 million garments a year.

Giuseppe Miroglio, President of the Miroglio Group said: “For some years the Miroglio Group has been investing in new, sustainable printing technologies with a low environmental impact and has remarkably reduced water consumption, energy use and CO2 emissions in the supply chain. Having already taken steps in this direction, we are willing to pursue this vision in the future with responsibility.”

Representing what Greenpeace is calling the most ambitious Detox commitments yet, the six textile producers have publicly committed to eliminating all hazardous chemicals from their supply chains and products by 2020 but also revealed the progress they have already made. The companies have already phased out eight of the 11 priority groups of hazardous substances identified by Greenpeace.Furthermore, customers will be able to follow the steps each company takes towards its commitment via its website, making it easier for them to be held accountable for their actions.

Two years ago, Greenpeace Italy laid down the Detox gauntlet to the luxury fashion sector. While some labels such as Burberry and Valentino have since committed to toxic-free fashion, other big names including Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana have yet to commit, despite Greenpeace’s heating up its campaign against them at Milan's Spring Fashion Week in February.

“Detox is becoming a must-have trend, supported by forward-thinking brands, suppliers and millions of fashion lovers around the world,” Campione said. “While the market moves towards a toxic-free future, the laggards are becoming increasingly unfashionable. If suppliers can do it, what are Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana waiting for?”