In textile production, the choice of wood-based fibers prompts crucial questions about environmental impact. Do these materials safeguard ancient and endangered forests, and how do suppliers measure against each other? Canopy, a dedicated environmental non-profit organization, provides answers through its annual Hot Button Report, offering insights into the sustainability practices of MMCF (Man-Made Cellulosic Fiber) players.
In the latest Canopy Hot Button Report for 2023, Aditya Birla Group's Birla Cellulose, a major Indian MMCF manufacturer, has claimed the prestigious top spot. Recognized globally as the second-largest sustainably produced MMCF player, Birla Cellulose has consistently demonstrated exemplary sourcing practices for its wood-based raw materials, earning a coveted "dark green shirt" designation for four consecutive years.
H.K. Agarwal, Managing Director of Grasim Industries Ltd. and Business Director of Birla Cellulose, expressed pride in the recognition, emphasizing the company's unwavering commitment to sustainable wood sourcing, forest conservation, innovation, and transparent operations throughout its value chain.
Birla Cellulose's "Dark Green Shirt" Achievement in CanopyStyle Compliance
The "green shirt" designation in the Hot Button Report reflects the commitment of MMCF producers to eliminate risks related to biodiversity loss and deforestation in their supply chain. Birla Cellulose's attainment of a "dark green shirt" rating signifies the highest level of adherence to CanopyStyle requirements for ancient and endangered forest conservation, transparency, traceability, and next-generation solutions.
In the 2023 report, 54 percent of the global viscose supply earned the "green shirt" status, showcasing the growing awareness and commitment of MMCF producers to environmentally friendly practices. Over 550 global brands, with combined annual revenues exceeding US $1 trillion, are now actively seeking to source from "green shirt" producers, marking a substantial stride toward sustainable business practices in the textile industry.
Nicole Rycroft, Canopy's Executive Director, congratulated Aditya Birla for securing the top spot, commending their efforts to eliminate ancient and endangered forests from the MMCF supply chain, and praising their consistent progress in bringing next-gen fibers to market at scale.
Birla Cellulose's Leading Initiatives in Eco-Friendly Fiber Manufacturing
Birla Cellulose operates 12 sites for pulp and fiber manufacturing, utilizing environmentally efficient closed-loop technologies, recycled materials, and enhanced conservation practices. With five global advanced research centers equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, Birla Cellulose produces fibers from renewable wood using a closed-loop process, significantly reducing carbon emissions and resource consumption.
Actively collaborating with organizations such as Canopy, Fashion for Good, and Circular Fashion Partnership, Birla Cellulose contributes to scaling up circularity in the industry. The company, alongside other global MMCF producers, supports the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity's commitment to conserve at least 30 percent of terrestrial ecosystems by 2030.