Fashion for Good and ZDHC call for innovators

Fashion for Good and ZDHC call for innovators

09/13/2018

Fashion for Good and ZDHC are looking for innovators at the forefront of safer chemistry. In this joint call for applications, companies run for selection into the 3-month Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator, as well as a chance to participate in the exclusive "Friends of ZDHC" event on 7th of December 2018 in Amsterdam.

The Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator is a 12-week curriculum that offers the opportunity to work alongside Fashion for Good; C&A Foundation and corporate partners adidas, C&A, Kering, Galeries Lafayette, PVH Corp., Target and Zalando. The programme accelerates and scales innovation.

Selected innovators will not only have the opportunity to join the Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator but will also be invited to the exclusive “Friends of ZDHC” event on 7th of December 2018 in Amsterdam. This annual gathering is the premier industry event on sustainable chemical management and ZDHC implementation in the fashion industry. The by-invitation only event will see leaders of the sector come together for discussions on opportunities, challenges, best practices and innovations regarding the use of safer and more innovative chemistry. Selected innovators will be offered the stage to present their journey and solutions to an exclusive audience of around 150 sector representatives.

Fashion for Good and ZDHC are collaborating to combine global networks and sector expertise to help identify the most groundbreaking innovations that support the phase-out of hazardous chemistry.

Fashion for Good and ZDHC identify dyeing, finishing, tanning and fibre production as key enabling areas for replacement of hazardous chemicals. Innovations in these areas can also save water and energy. Details on the search areas can be found below. The partners invite innovations related to a chemical product substitution, a process, technology or a material, or a combination thereof. Innovations may be at the bench, pilot phase, or ready to scale. Find out more and apply here.

Dyeing

• New dyeing methods that save water or hazardous chemical use
• Solvents and auxiliaries that can safely enter biological systems
• High performing natural dyes
• Recycling/de-dyeing techniques that allow for color matching of light shades

Finishing

• Water, stain and/or oil repellent finishes or stain release agents that are PFC-free
• Sustainable finishes that specifically target antimicrobial or fire retardant resistant properties without the use of restricted chemical substances in particular heavy metals and chlorinated organics
• Halogen-free bleaching methods for denim finishing

Tanning

• Sustainable tanning methods for leather free of Chromium and other heavy metals with performance characteristics meeting or exceeding those of Cr-tanned leather

Fibre production – elastic/spandex

• DMAC-free or solvent-free production of elastane.

About ZDHC

The ZDHC Foundation oversees implementation of the Roadmap to Zero Programme and is a global industry collaboration of currently 111 contributors (25 brands, 70 value chain affiliates, and 16 associates) within the sports, fashion, luxury and outdoor industry. The vision is widespread implementation of sustainable chemistry, driving innovations and best practices in the textile, apparel, leather and footwear industries to protect consumers, workers and the environment. ZDHC takes a holistic approach to sustainable chemical management and enables tangible progress in the wider industry by a number of reference guidance and practical tools, capacity building and innovation projects. More information about ZDHC at www.roadmaptozero.com.

About Fashion for Good

Fashion for Good is the global initiative that is here to make all fashion good. It’s a global platform for innovation, made possible through collaboration and community. With an open invitation to the entire apparel industry, Fashion for Good convenes brands, producers, retailers, suppliers, non-profit organisations, innovators and funders united in their shared ambition.

At the core of Fashion for Good is our innovation platform. Through our Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator, we give promising start-up innovators the expertise and access to funding they need in order to grow. Our Scaling Programme supports innovations that have passed the proof-of-concept phase, with a dedicated team that offers bespoke support and access to expertise, customers and capital. Both the Accelerator and Scaling programmes have in total supported more than 40 start-ups to date. The third element of the innovation platform is the Good Fashion Fund, that will catalyse access to finance to shift at scale to more sustainable production methods.  

The international organisation - founded by C&A Foundation in March 2017 - now has 8 corporate partners, organised over 360 one-on-one introductory sessions between innovators and corporate brands, unlocked significant investments for start-ups, and has seen multiple production pilots come to life.  

Fashion for Good also acts as a convener for change. From its hub in Amsterdam, it houses a Circular Apparel Community co-working space, creates open-source resources like its Good Fashion Guide about cradle-to-cradle clothing. Fashion for Good welcomes visitors to the Experience, where they can join a collective movement to make fashion a force for good. In October 2018 the Experience will reopen as the world's first interactive tech museum dedicated to sustainable fashion innovation.

Fashion for Good’s programmes are supported by corporate partners adidas, C&A, Galeries Lafayette Group, Kering, PVH Corp., Target, Zalando, as well as organisations including the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, IDH – the Sustainable Trade Initiative, Impact Hub Amsterdam, McDonough Innovation, Plug and Play and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

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