Aditya Birla Group, the world’s largest producer of viscose fibres, has set out a new “game-changing” commitment to stop sourcing the raw material from ancient and endangered forests.
The company, which manufactures 20 per cent of the world’s supply of the fibre, said the pledge applies to wood and pulp sourcing for all its mills, including those in Canada, Indonesia and China.
“We’r committed to avoiding any endangered forest fibre in our products and are excited to help drive innovation in the development of fabrics made from new fibres that reduce the pressure on the world’s natural forests”, Aditya Birla Group chairman, Kumar Mangalam Birla said.
Aditya Birla worked with Canadian environmental group ‘Canopy’ to develop the policy, which, it said offers new hope for solutions in places like Canada’s Boreal forest.
Last year, Canopy undertook research that suggests endangered forests are increasingly being threatened by the manufacture of cellulosic fabrics used to make clothing.
To date, more than 25 brands and retailers, including H&M, Inditex, Levi Strauss & Co, and Marks & Spencer, have pledged to phase out endangered forest fibre in their product lines.
The initiative seeks to shift suppliers away from endangered forest sourcing, as well as advancing long-term conservation solutions and more sustainable fabric solutions, such as recycled fabrics or non-wood fibres like straw.
Aditya Birla said it is committed to exploring research and development opportunities for alternative fibre sources and new technologies that reduce environmental impacts, and will identify options to support existing conservation solutions, agreements and new initiatives to advance sustainable sourcing and forest protection.
