Canopy’s 10th Hot Button Report Marks Breakthrough in MMCF Supply Chain

October 16, 2025, Lisbon, Portugal — Today, Canopy released the 10th Edition Hot Button Report, which shows that the global man-made cellulosic fibre (MMCF) supply chain has undergone a dramatic transformation since the report’s inception in 2016. The Hot Button Report — the industry’s most trusted tool for assessing MMCF fibre sourcing — shows the sector has advanced from zero low-risk Green Shirt producers in 2016 to 21 in 2025, and from no commercial-scale Next Gen fibre lines to 16 available today. The findings underscore that meaningful change in the fashion sector can happen in years, not decades.

Released today in Lisbon, the 2025 Hot Button Report provides the most comprehensive snapshot yet of how MMCF producers are phasing out sourcing from the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests and accelerating the transition to low-carbon, circular Next Gen alternatives. This milestone 10th edition assesses 98% of global MMCF production, rating companies with Canopy’s well-known “shirt” system. The results show clear momentum, with nearly 70% of producers now earning Green, Partial Dark Green, or Dark Green status — a sharp contrast to just nine years ago.

The ratings are led by Lenzing and Tangshan Sanyou, who share the top spot, followed closely by Aditya Birla in second place. Other producers achieving Dark Green Shirt status include Jilin Chemical Fiber, Yibin Grace, and Xinxiang Chemical Fiber Co. (Bailu), who all made significant advances in Next Gen integration during the past year, alongside additional leaders in the field.

This year’s Report features contributions from 30 MMCF producers globally, including two new entrants, bringing Green Shirt-rated production to 54% in 2025. 

“This 10th edition of the Hot Button Report shows that supply chain transformation is not only possible — it’s happening,” said Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy. “Business-as-usual can no longer be the standard if we’re to keep vital forests standing and stabilize our climate. The leaders in the Hot Button are demonstrating that investing in Next Gen Solutions isn’t just good for the planet — it’s integral to building resilient, low-carbon supply chains to meet brand expectations,  mitigate against increasingly volatile raw material supply, and deliver long-term business value.”

“The Hot Button Report gives us valuable insight into forest impacts across our supply chain. Its clear scoring system and independent audits support our sourcing team in making well-informed decisions.” — Madelene Ericsson Ryman, Sustainability Business Expert, Raw Material Sourcing, H&M Group | Global Sustainability Department.

All of the leading companies have demonstrated unique strengths, but each has invested in advancing Next Gen fibre alternatives, a key component in reducing reliance on forests and increasing supply chain resilience.

HIGHLIGHTS from the 2025 Hot Button Report:

• Two producers, MI Demo and Saolon (formerly Mitsubishi) have moved up from Light Green to Partially Dark Green Shirts.
• Yibin Grace opened the first recycled dissolving pulp mill in China.
• Xinxiang Chemical Fibre (Bailu) opened a direct textile-to-textile MMCF facility, while Tangshan Sanyou launched a testing facility for the same technology.
• Jilin Chemical Fiber debuted REBOOCEL, a new recycled bamboo pulp line.
• Tangshan Sanyou advanced the development of Next Gen lyocell.
• Xinxiang Chemical Fiber opened a juncao grass MMCF facility.

In total, 16 individual Next Gen MMCF product lines, from 12 producers, are now commercially available.

"The Hot Button Report is a key tool in guiding our MMCF sourcing, helping us track progress and identify suppliers driving next-generation innovation. It connects our ambitions with concrete sourcing strategies." — Michael Jønsson, Sourcing Manager, Selected, BESTSELLER. 

Read the 2025 Hot Button Report here.

Read this release in Mandarin here.

About the Hot Button Report
First launched in 2016, Canopy’s Hot Button Report assesses the world’s largest MMCF producers on their performance in three key areas: raw material sourcing, innovation in low-impact fibre alternatives, and supply chain transparency. The Report is a tool in service of CanopyStyle, a global initiative backed by over 550 fashion brands, designers, and retailers committed to eliminating Ancient and Endangered Forests from their supply chains.

For media inquiries, contact:
Laura Repas, Senior Communications Specialist, Canopy
+1 416-729-7484
communications@canopyplanet.org

About Canopy
Canopy is a solutions-driven environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the world’s forests, species, and climate. Working with 1,000+ global brands, producers, and innovators Canopy drives transformative action to eliminate the use of Ancient and Endangered Forests in packaging and textiles while scaling Next Gen Solutions.

www.canopyplanet.org