Birla Cellulose retains its top ranking in the 2024 Canopy Hot Button Report, showcasing its commitment to sustainable sourcing and innovative fiber production.
Birla Cellulose, a division of India’s Aditya Birla Group, has achieved significant recognition in the 2024 Canopy Hot Button Report, securing the top position along with a “Green Shirt” rating for the fifth straight year. This acknowledgment from Canopy, a non-profit environmental organization, highlights the company’s commitment to sustainable practices in the fashion industry, particularly its efforts to eliminate sourcing from ancient and endangered forests while promoting innovative low-carbon fibers within its man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF) supply chains.
Operating 11 pulp and fiber manufacturing facilities that leverage closed-loop technologies, Birla Cellulose focuses on integrating recycled materials and conserving natural resources in its processes. The company has made substantial investments in five advanced research centers across the globe, equipped with pilot plants and facilities aimed at developing Next Gen Solutions intended to minimize environmental impact, particularly on forests. Birla Cellulose produces fibers sourced from renewable wood, utilizing a closed-loop process that significantly reduces carbon emissions and overall resource consumption.
Canopy’s annual Hot Button Report is a pivotal resource for businesses seeking sustainable sourcing options. It evaluates MMCF producers based on their forest sourcing practices and Next Gen production capabilities, offering critical data for brands striving to make responsible choices. Notably, the report covers aspects such as traceability initiatives, the utilization of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified fibers, and support for various conservation strategies.
In the 2024 report, which assessed 28 out of 35 MMCF producers—accounting for 97.5 percent of global production capacity—Birla Cellulose emerged as a leader. The report employs a color-coded ranking system known as “shirt rankings,” ranging from no color for those not yet assessed to red for producers deemed at high risk of sourcing from ancient or endangered forests. The darkest shade of green signifies companies that are leading in their commitments to CanopyStyle initiatives.
The demand for textiles based on MMCF has seen a surge, emphasizing the importance of responsible fiber manufacturing. While MMCFs still represent a relatively small segment of the global fiber market, production levels have experienced a substantial increase, amounting to nearly half a million tons from 2022 to 2023. It should be noted, however, that some manufacturers have ramped up production employing unsustainable methods. The report stresses the necessity for Next Gen fiber solutions to substitute forest fiber within MMCF production.
The report also indicates a progressive trend within the industry, with several producers enhancing their sustainability practices. A notable 71 percent of rated producers in the 2024 edition received green, partial dark green, or fully dark green rankings, reflecting advancements in eco-friendly methods.
Nicole Rycroft, founder and executive director of Canopy, expressed congratulatory remarks towards industry leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to responsible sourcing and investment in Next Gen research and development. “Brands now have more options than ever to partner with producers that align with their business goals,” she commented, reinforcing the potential for further advancements in sustainability within the textile industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
