Man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCF) such as Viscose/Rayon, Lyocell, Modal, and Cupro, form the second biggest cellulosic fibre group after cotton. The MMCF value chain has the potential to tackle some of the apparel and broader textile industry’s most significant sustainability challenges and, as a consequence, make a very real contribution to building resilience and accelerating regeneration. Its unique prospects for realising circular fashion, for instance, contrast sharply with the linear models of economic growth that have left many of our ecosystems on the verge of collapse. As a derivative of wood pulp and other natural plant materials, MMCF can play an important role in regenerating many of these ecosystems, as well as ensuring the health of carbon sinks, which play an essential role in stabilising the Earth’s climate.
To date, however, the sector has faced considerable social and environmental challenges – from deforestation and biodiversity impacts related to raw material sourcing, to safe chemical use and labour rights concerns in the production process. As an industry on the cusp of significant growth, there is a narrow window of opportunity to fully harness MMCF’s potential. This document discusses how to reduce the harms of MMCF, providing analysis for stakeholders. In this document, you will find:
- An explanation of what being ‘Net Positive’ means: the principles upon which this Vision is built and the logic behind moving beyond today’s best practice to what the planet and society need.
- The MMCF 2030 Vision: a short summary on the details behind all five Vision components and their enablers, including the outcomes that it seeks to achieve, examples of actions that are required to meet the level of ambition, examples of current practice, and what industry says must still happen in order to meet Net Positive ambitions.
- A call to action: how to immediately use this Vision, key innovations required, and how to join the community involved in making this Vision a reality.