The French contemporary brand Ba&sh has forged a strategic partnership with NATIVA™ to spearhead the transformation of farms in Uruguay towards regenerative farming practices. This innovative collaboration aims to fund and facilitate the transition, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to agriculture.
Ba&sh is committed to incorporating wool sourced from these transformed farms into its future knitwear collections. The brand has set an ambitious target, pledging to integrate 30 percent regenerative or transitioning wool into its collections by the close of 2025. This commitment necessitates substantial adjustments in the design process, logistics, and a realignment of the supply chain to synchronize with the farming calendar.
Moreover, ba&sh adheres to a comprehensive array of widely recognized and predominant certifications in the realm of sustainable fashion. These include esteemed standards such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Organic Content Standard, Global Recycled Standard, Recycled Claim Standard, Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Responsible Wool Standard, and bluesign. These certifications underscore ba&sh's commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical practices in the fashion industry.
Ba&sh's Visionary Leadership: Pioneering Sustainability in Fashion
Pierre-Arnaud Grenade, CEO of Ba&sh, expressed the brand's dedication to fostering a more demanding and innovative relationship between the fashion industry and its agricultural partners. He emphasized the imperative need for the fashion industry to make strides in environmental sustainability and underscored the holistic approach adopted by Ba&sh in addressing these critical issues.
The Nativa Regenerative Agriculture Program is poised to revolutionize agriculture by regenerating soils, enhancing biodiversity, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and uplifting the economic conditions of farmers. Ba&sh acknowledges that planetary limits have been breached, especially concerning soil use change, and views this program as a crucial step towards mitigating these challenges.
Ba&sh is leveraging the Fairly Made traceability tool to monitor its suppliers, production sites, and subcontractors throughout this transformative process. Tier-one suppliers are mandated to undergo third-party social audits, ensuring transparency and accountability in the supply chain. Owned by French investment firm HLD, Ba&sh is part of a portfolio of 18 brands heavily invested in the women's ready-to-wear sector. HLD's commitment to sustainability and innovation aligns seamlessly with Ba&sh's vision for a more environmentally friendly and socially responsible fashion industry.
Renewcell Seeks Funding Amid Sales Struggles
On the other end of the sustainable fashion spectrum, Swedish textile-to-textile recycler Renewcell is facing challenges in the wake of disappointing third-quarter sales results. Despite its state-of-the-art plant outside Stockholm with a capacity of 60,000 tons annually, Renewcell is grappling with a lack of buyers for its fiber.
Interim CEO Magnus Håkansson revealed that the company is currently operating below its financial breakeven point. Although agreements with trading house Ekman and commitments from major players like H&M Group and Inditex have been secured, material movement through the supply chain has been sluggish.
Renewcell, having invested approximately 115 million euros in its advanced facility, is actively seeking additional funding to bolster its operations and sales efforts. The company's board of directors has engaged Norwegian investment bank ABG Sundal Collier to conduct a strategic review, exploring options such as debt funding or the sale of additional shares to public or private investors.
As the fashion industry collectively pledges towards sustainability, Renewcell's struggle to integrate its pulp into the supply stream underscores the challenges in translating commitments into tangible results. The ongoing discussions with potential customers underscore the uncertainty surrounding when these orders will materialize. Renewcell's factory, launched just a year ago, was envisioned to bridge the gap in sustainable materials. However, the current scenario highlights the complexities of aligning ambitious goals with practical implementation in the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable fashion.