Research and Markets has announced the addition of Textiles Intelligence's new report "Sustainability in Performance Apparel: Meeting the Demands of an Eco-Conscious Marketplace" to their offering.

“Sustainability in Performance Apparel: Meeting the Demands of an Eco-Conscious Marketplace”

The performance apparel industry has often been singled out for the damage its operations cause to the environment, and for the poor working conditions in some of the factories it uses. However, many of the leading brand companies and their suppliers have responded positively to such criticism in a bid to satisfy the demands of an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace. Some firms have gone even further and have shown a genuine commitment to protecting the planet by reducing their carbon footprint and pursuing socially responsible policies in every aspect of their businesses.

In an effort to reduce its energy demand and contribution to global warming The Timberland Company (NYSE: TBL) announced today that state of the art LED lighting will be replacing less efficient incandescent spotlights in 70% of its North American stores by the end of 2009. By reducing the electricity used on a daily basis for lighting in its stores, Timberland expects to shrink the carbon footprint of its US stores by an additional 11%.

Levi Strauss & Co. and Goodwill^® today announced A Care Tag for Our Planet, a new initiative that aims to put billions of pounds of unwanted clothing to good use instead of into landfill. Beginning in January 2010, the Levi's^® brand will be the first major retailer to include messaging on product care tags that encourages people to donate unwanted clothing.

Maggie's Organics will become the first apparel company ever to be certified Fair Labor under a rigorous new auditing process. This certification validates socially responsible practices both in agricultural production and at all stages of the post-harvest production process.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Special Organic Fibre (SOF) Production and Trade in China 2008-Jun. 2009" report to their offering.

This the second edition of the trade analysis report on SOF, covering production and trade situation from Jan. 2008 to Jun. 2009. In this edition the publisher mainly updates trade data of SOF, the analysis and depth is similar to the first version. By the end of June 2009, only three manufacturers have commercially produced Fanglun 1313 in China, and Fanglun 1414 has not achieved industrial production yet. Moreover, a new HSPE fibre manufacturer (Guangdong Shinda UHMWPE Fibre Co., Ltd.) has gone into operation in early 2009. In Q2 2009, the trade situation of HSPE fibre and unidirectional sheets are similar to Q1 2009. While in Q2 2009 the Fanglun 1313's import exceeded export because of growing domestic demand. And Fanglun 1414 mainly relies on import at present.

Anvil Knitwear today launched a neweco t-shirt made from recycled PET plastic bottles and transitional cotton, which has been grown on farms that are in the process of becoming certified organic. Named the AnvilSustainable(TM) tee, the shirt is debuting at the MAGIC Marketplace apparel trade show in Las Vegas.

A Sustainability Workshop will be held on the morning of March 31, the day of this three-day event to be held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

econscious, experts in supplying organic and sustainable apparel to brands worldwide, is excited to become the first and only United States supplier certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

    GOTS is the highest and most comprehensive international standard for Organic textiles from farm to finished product. As brands align themselves with the green movement, both to satisfy the growing demand of conscious consumers and to align with their brand's core-values, many are turning to econscious' experts to streamline the time, expertise and resources required to ensure the organic status of their apparel.

In the spirit of helping to create a healthier, cleaner earth, Organically Grown, a Los Angeles based company, launches its Organically Grown Baby apparel line at select retailers including Macys, Gottschalks, Dillards and Buy Buy Baby.

The infant product, sizes newborn to 9 months, is made from brushed jersey and terry velour organic cotton. The 3-piece sets consist of baby gowns, body suits, jackets, pants, blankets and hats on a padded hanger, affordably priced from $20 to $38.

Today The Timberland Company announced the global launch of the Earthkeeper campaign, a movement to recruit one million people to become part of an online network designed to inspire real environmental behavior change.

“Imagine a forum where people who share energy and interest in the notion of protecting our planet can share information and inspiration,” said Jeff Swartz, Timberland’s President and CEO. “We think the Earthkeeper campaign will be a way to translate lots of passionate talk and ideas into positive, practical action.”

SKN Design, an up-and-coming design company, has added organic cotton reusable totes to its line of reusable shopping bags, uniting sustainability and style for today's shoppers. SKN (pronounced "skin") reusable organic bags are manufactured in the U.S. from 100 percent certified organic American-grown cotton.

Hanesbrands Inc., a leading marketer of innerwear, outerwear and hosiery apparel, yesterday announced that it has earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s sustainability certification for its Bentonville, Ark., sales office.

The prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification is the first in Bentonville and the first for commercial interiors in Arkansas. Only 12 other buildings have earned LEED® designations in the state.

BuddhiWear offers Hip yoga casual wear that is eco-friendly. Bold colors and more styles too!

BuddhiWear, a Columbia-based apparel company, is pleased to announce the launch of additional styles to its third line of innovative, organic, positive-inspired apparel for women, men, and children. The new additions include colored tank tops, colored onesies, and bamboo lounge pants.

Responding to the growing number of parents choosing to use products that have minimal impact on the environment, PTPA Media - a company providing reviews and awarding it's seal of approval of items that have been tested and approved by parents - is announcing its first call for "green" products.

PTPA Media realizes that families are increasingly becoming more proactive and vocal about going "green" in an effort to provide a better environment for future generations.  In its ongoing pursuit to offer child and family-friendly products that are designed to enrich family living, PTPA Media plans to continue the Green Award as long as parents are persistent about living an eco-friendly lifestyle

Eco-Fabrik, an Organic Clothing & Accessories Company, announced plans today to extend its "tree planting" reward program to become a quarterly and annual event.

    At its inception, the tree planting reward was a one-time honor for those customers who spent the most in 2007 at Eco-Fabrik's online store. Eco-Fabrik teamed up with American Forest, the oldest conservation nonprofit organization in the country, to plant trees in honor of its top 20 customers. Each honoree was given the opportunity to select a dedication for the tree planted. Customers responded positively to this tree planting reward. Thus, "we decided to integrate this initiative into our business operations," said Diana Khan, Eco-Fabrik Cofounder and President. "Our business philosophy goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to the environment and socio-economic values," said Ms. Khan.

We hate to say "I told you so," but we did! Love Me Baby Me's new organic line has been met with teeming response and enthusiasm just as everyone expected. It was anticipated that such a pure and gentle skin care line dedicated to the sensitivity of a child's young skin would be in high demand, and it was, but now that Love Me Baby Me has gone organic, buyers, parents, and the most die-hard health conscious celebrities from all over the world are flocking to obtain and support Love Me Baby Me's all organic luxury products.