Textile Universe

Green Manufacturing and Technical Textiles Initiative Phase 1: Research Phase 2: Development

Technical Textiles – Definition Technical textiles are “textile materials and products manufactured primarily for their technical and performance properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics”. 1 1 The Textile Institute, Technical Textiles Terms and Definitions (Manchester, England: Textile Institute, 1975).

Move to Technical Textiles Fully 80% of occupations in the textile industry will see significant changes to their job roles and responsibilities as a result of the move to technical textiles production and green manufacturing. – THRC, Best Practices in Green Manufacturing and Technical Textiles (2011)

Best Practices in Technical Textiles Four Technical Usage Textiles (TUT) application sectors identified as having high growth potential for the industry: Protech, Mobiltech, Buildtech and Medtech. Four primary trends in best practices: 1. Multidisciplinary work 2. Working closely with users 3. Active technology forecasting 4. Setting action plans incorporating findings resulting from active technology forecasting

Technical Textiles Production – Skills and Best Practice Implications for an R&D Specialist

Move to Green Manufacturing - Member of the Club des leaders program -Spring 2011 Le développement durable ne doit pas être considéré comme une tâche supplémentaire à ajouter à notre agenda mais doit faire partie intégrante de la stratégie d’entreprise.

Improved Corporate Image Directly affected occupations:  Marketing/Sales Use of green labels and ecolabels (e.g. Oeko Tex 100), engaging in responsible communication  Legal Obtaining certifications, complying with standards  Procurement Formulating charters /codes of practice for providers /subcontractors  Finance Producing sustainability reports and triple bottom line Responsible marketing Triple bottom line

Cost Savings Directly affected occupations:  Finance Financial impact assessments (savings in energy, time, etc.) Evaluating financial revenue associated with sustainability initiatives  Process Engineers Using renewable energy – energy efficiency  Supervisors Determining environmental objectives (waste reduction, etc.) Controlling energy and water consumption Optimization of processes

Innovation and Product Development Directly affected occupations:  R&D and Marketing Conducting life cycle analyses Integrating end-of-life-cycle indicators Replacing hazardous materials by more eco-friendly composites Using “green” materials from renewable resources (for home textiles, geotextiles, etc.) Using natural and organic fibres Producing reusable and recyclable fibres Systems thinking

Ecodesign Approach Extraction Reduce the quantity and variety of materials Production Design to simplify quality control Logistics Reduce the weight and volume of products and packaging Use Minimize emissions and increase energy efficiency End-of-life Integrate collection methods

Green Manufacturing Innovation Workshops and Pilot Ongoing workplace projects in green textile manufacturing targeting two streams: Enterprise: Integration of sustainable development principles into corporate strategic plans Product: Integration of ecodesign approach into product development

Keys Findings…  Key affected occupations: R&D Specialists, Senior/Specialist Managers, Marketing & Sales, and Procurement.  Skills companies need to develop in their workforce to make their businesses more sustainable and better able to serve technical markets are not only technical in nature – general business skills are required for restructuring both internal and external/client- facing working relationships.  Closing the skills gap – aligning green and technical textile manufacturing needs with business priorities and product life cycle analysis.  Practical tools for small business and benchmarking strategies for manufacturers operating both domestically and internationally.