SOURCING JOURNAL: Lenzing Leads in Sustainability Ranking for Viscose Producers

Originally published in Sourcing Journal by Genevieve Scarano on October 24, 2016.

Canopy’s new report, “Hot Button Issue,” was released Friday, ranking the performance of the world’s largest rayon-viscose producers. It’s the first-ever tool that enables brands to measure producers’ impact on the environment and their progress on eliminating endangered forests from their supply.

Producers’ progress was measured with the CanopyStyleGuide and the CanopyStyle Verification Audit. Canopy’s producer progress assessment guidelines included: the completion of CanopyStyle third-party verification audits, contribution to conservation legacies, innovation via new alternative fibers, the adoption of robust forest sourcing policy, traceability & transparency, and leadership in sustainable sourcing. Each producer received a “shirt ranking” of buttons, with 20 to 25 buttons being the most sustainable and 0 to 4 buttons being the least sustainable.

Lenzing, a cellulose fiber producer based in Austria, received the top score out of all producers for its ongoing efforts with forest preservation and pre-consumer recycled cotton, ranking first with 17 buttons, followed by Aditya Birla with 16.

Canopy highlighted Lenzing’s recently announced collaboration with Inditex/Zara to market new products made from pre-consumer recycled cotton as a standout in the movement to conserves. In addition to establishing this environmentally-friendly partnership, Lenzing also promotes sustainable sourcing alongside Canopy and partner brands at various conferences.

To keep reading go here (a subscription is needed to read the article).