Latest news with #NicoleRycroft
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Is it still ‘profit vs planet' for brands?
Nicole Rycroft , founder and the force behind Canopy , a solutions-focused environmental not-for-profit, proudly describes herself as 'fun and sassy' with a hint of troublemaker. That's a fitting mix for someone who's convinced that some of the world's most iconic brands — from LVMH and H&M to Zara and Stella McCartney — need to rethink their impact on the planet. 'Fashion's pretty well positioned to make anything sexy — even supply chains and supply chain transformation,' she tells Brand Equity during a visit to Mumbai. Rycroft's Canopy has partnered with over 1,000 global brands —helping shift entire industries toward sustainable, next-gen alternatives that are better for forests, wildlife and the climate. Edited excerpts: What's your elevator pitch to some of the biggest brands? Large brands understand that sustainability is no longer just 'nice to have'; it's a 'must have'. Traditional take-make-waste models are increasingly volatile. As the climate crisis worsens, we're seeing more frequent and intense floods, wildfires. The conventional fibre baskets that their businesses were built on, are no longer reliable. Looking 15 years ahead, there must be an accelerated transition to more circular, next-gen alternatives built for the 21st century. How did we get into this supply chain mess? It started with the Industrial Revolution, with the idea that we could build an economy around the take-make-waste systems. We don't have the environmental 'bank account' to sustain this model — raw materials make up 85% of a brand's environmental footprint, and the waste created squanders natural and human resources. It's unsustainable. What's the first step that brands can take to fix this? One company, no matter how big, can't change an entire supply chain. We work with brands to develop policies. Fashion brands create a commitment. That means pledging not to source from high-carbon, high-biodiversity forests, which inherently pose business risks. It's about working with us — and with others — in a pre-competitive space to help scale next-gen circular solutions. What are the biggest challenges that brands face when integrating sustainability? Brands are juggling a lot. They need clarity on the most impactful sustainability choices and must accept that they can't transform supply chains on their own. So how do they create the market conditions for lower-impact materials to be available at scale, with the right price points and performance specs? That's where we come in — focussing not on small, exclusive runs, but on shifting the market to make sustainable materials accessible for all. What role does sustainability play in shaping a brand's identity in 2025? I started Canopy in 1999 — many grey hairs ago! Back then, brand executives weren't returning my calls. But now, they do. We are in a different time — both, socially and politically. People are more aware of climate change and biodiversity loss. They want to wear designs and support brands that reflect their values. We're seeing fashion lovers gravitate toward brands that integrate sustainability into their core. How can brands balance profitability with environmental responsibility? That's an outdated dichotomy — profit v. planet. Also, governments are banning deforestation-derived materials and requiring eco-design and recycled content. So, brands that delay the transition face increased risks and costs. Companies say customers won't pay more for sustainable options. Will this change with consumer education? While people claim in polls that they would pay more, at the checkout, it's a different story. But fashion, especially luxury, is different — consumers pay for exclusivity. Brands need to scale production so sustainable options don't carry a premium. Just like solar energy costs dropped by 90% in 10 years, we're studying that and applying it to textiles. Fast fashion and sustainability seem at odds. How do brands like Zara and H&M reconcile their business models with environmental goals? They were two of our earliest partners. They've helped shift viscose sourcing away from high carbon forests and have pushed their suppliers to improve. They're also collaborating with others to pioneer and scale next-gen materials. They know they have volume — and influence — and are trying to leverage it. As consumers, how should we read clothing labels? What should we look for? Actually, before looking at the label, ask: 'Do I really need this?' Then check the label — look for recycled content, organic cotton, next-gen fibres such as Circulose, CIRC, etc. Many brands highlight these on tags. Which industry, other than fashion and publishing, would you give a makeover to? Food and beverage. The industry uses a lot of paper packaging, which impacts forests. Plus, many of the food commodities have major land-use impacts. It's an area ripe for change.
Fashion Value Chain
30-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Circulose Unveils ‘CIRCULOSE® Forward' for Circular Fashion
In a bold step towards mainstreaming circularity in the fashion industry, Circulose has launched CIRCULOSE® Forward, a practical solution platform designed to simplify the adoption of circular materials in fashion supply chains. The initiative signifies Circulose's evolution from a pulp manufacturer to a comprehensive solutions provider for circular fashion. Developed in collaboration with the environmental nonprofit Canopy, CIRCULOSE® Forward aims to eliminate integration barriers and accelerate the transition from virgin fibers to recycled inputs across global apparel ecosystems. Key Features of the Platform: CIRCULOSE® Material Library A digital catalogue of commercially available fabrics and yarns made with CIRCULOSE®, showcasing performance, aesthetics, and sustainability. CIRCULOSE® Forward Priced Materials These selected materials follow a pricing logic designed to avoid unnecessary cost escalations through the value chain. CIRCULOSE® Forward Price Calculator A user-friendly tool that helps brands assess the potential cost implications of adopting CIRCULOSE® at the garment or fabric level. CIRCULOSE® Supplier Network (CSN) A curated group of manufacturing partners with proven capabilities in working with CIRCULOSE® to facilitate efficient production and scaling. 'This platform provides scalable solutions that meet both market demands and climate goals,' said Nicole Rycroft, Executive Director of Canopy. 'It's a step forward in leaving deforestation behind and ushering in a low-carbon, next-gen textile future.' With the initial toolkit already available for preview, Circulose plans to expand the offering further, making circular fashion not just aspirational, but operational. Visit:
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New platform to expedite adoption of Circulose in fashion supply chain
Circulose is a 'dissolving pulp,' made entirely made from recycled textiles. It serves as a raw material for producing various regenerated fibres such as viscose, lyocell, modal, and acetate, collectively known as man-made cellulosic fibres. The platform, launched in collaboration with Canopy, a non-profit focused on solutions, includes the Circulose Material Library, Circulose Forward Priced Materials, a Price Calculator, and an expanded network of suppliers. Circulose CEO Jonatan Janmark said: "Scaling up next-gen materials is not straightforward. To enable adoption at scale and at pace, we need to make integration into brands' supply chains seamless. Circulose Forward is a key initiative to make that happen." Canopy founder and executive director Nicole Rycroft said: 'We're proud to support partner with Circulose's on the launch of Circulose Forward. This platform provides practical, scalable solutions that align with both climate science and market needs. It's the kind of innovation that helps the industry leave deforestation in the past and move decisively toward a resilient, low-carbon, Next -Gen future.' Circulose Material Library, which is the first rollout under the new platform, features a range of commercially available fabrics and yarns made with Circulose , showcasing their aesthetic, functional, and other properties. The Circulose Forward Priced Materials are part of the Material Library, adhering to the Circulose Forward Price Logic that aims to prevent unnecessary price increases throughout the supply chain. The Circulose Forward Price Calculator is an innovative tool designed to help brands calculate the cost implications of incorporating Circulose into their materials or finished garments. While still under development, Circulose has provided a preview of the Circulose Forward platform on its website. 'This is just the beginning. Circulose Forward will continue to grow, giving our partners access to a robust portfolio of tools that make circularity not a distant vision – but a reality today,' Janmark added. In February, Circulose joined Canopy to promote sustainable fibres while helping to fight against the use of forests in textile supply chains. "New platform to expedite adoption of Circulose in fashion supply chain" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Innovation is Taking Root, Canopy's Hot Button Impact Assessment Reports
Ten years ago, the sourcing practices behind man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs)—think viscose, rayon, lyocell—were 'largely out of view,' Canopy claims, tucked deep in global supply chains and free from industry scrutiny, heavily influencing the not-for-profit's Hot Button Ranking system that debuted in 2016. 'The supply chain was opaque; there was little independent data, no shared performance standard, and limiting understanding of what responsible MMCF sourcing should look like,' a new report from Canopy reads. 'This has changed dramatically.' More from Sourcing Journal Material World: Modern Meadow's Innovera Goes Global EXCLUSIVE: Feben's Mini Twist Finds Pulp Friction With OnceMore Material World: Celebrate Biological Diversity Day With Carp Couture Considering the MMCF sector's supply chain 'unprecedented' transformations over the past decade, the 'From Risk to Resilience: 10 Years of Shifting the MMCF Supply Chain' impact report takes stock of the 'seismic changes' that have occurred, the market signals emerging and the work still ahead. 'In the first years of the Hot Button Report, most MMCF producers fell into the Red or Yellow Shirt categories—ratings that point to elevated risk, limited transparency, and/or a lack of clear sourcing commitments,' the report reads. 'By 2024, the picture has shifted dramatically, with more than 70 percent of producers assessed now holding green or dark green ratings—a reflection of both improved performance and greater participation in the evaluation process.' For context, these scores are given out of 40 potential 'buttons' and translated into a color-coded shirt rating system, ranging from red (high risk) to dark green (leading performance and lower risk). This 'visual shorthand' has become a way for procurement teams to identify preferred suppliers, Canopy said. So much so, the Hot Button Report now tracks 97.5 percent of global MMCF production, up from around 75 percent in 2016—indicating broader industry engagement and transparency. 'We've seen what's possible when brands and producers galvanize around clear performance expectations,' Nicole Rycroft, founder and executive director of Canopy, said in the report. 'The Hot Button Report creates that common reference point for the viscose and MMCF value chain—and it's helping shape how decisions get made and forests get protected.' While initially deemed far-fetched by most producers, per the report, next-gen production is growing. Though these solutions—spanning fibers made from recycled textiles, agricultural residues and other low-impact alternatives—have (largely) yet to launch commercial-scale products, the Hot Button Report directs brands to producers investing in lower-impact innovation rather than determining the solutions that producers should adopt. As of this month, Canopy reported 12 producers have launched commercial-scale next-gen fiber lines 'with early leaders such as Lenzing, Aditya Birla and Sanyou.' Four producers—Jilin Chemical Fiber, Bailu Group, Yibin Grace and Tangshan Sanyou—launched in-house next-gen MMCF and/or pulp capacity. As such, Canopy estimates that next-gen production over the next decade could divert about 34 million metric tons of textile waste from landfills, equivalent to seven Great Pyramids, 721 Titanic ships and over 3,300 Eiffel Towers. While the report confirmed that 'change is happening, sustaining that progress will take shared and concerted commitment.' Producers need to 'deepen traceability of materials all the way back to the forest of origin,' per the report, by scaling the use (and production) of lower-impact fibers and increasing FSC-certified inputs where wood is needed. For the sector at large, this means understanding that gains—while good—are not guaranteed. For producers, 'keeping forests standing' requires 'consistent follow-through' and 'clear market signals' reinforcing the shift to lower-impact sourcing, Canopy said. Brands, meanwhile, must 'turn commitments into action' by developing strong, measurable targets for the adoption of next-gen materials—and integrating those fibers into their supply chains. The report also highlighted the growth of CanopyStyle. The number of brand partners jumped from '65 in 2016 to over 550 at present,' demonstrating growing market demand for responsibly sourced MMCF. The ranking's credibility is underpinned by 'verifiable data, including third-party audits,' with over 35 audits completed and made publicly available across 11 countries, covering 'more than 75 percent of the producers assessed.' 'The results of nearly 10 years of MMCF producer engagement and data analysis tell a story of significant and meaningful change in supplier transparency, sourcing policy uptake, and investment in next-gen materials,' the report reads. 'While not comprehensively capturing all progress in the field, the Hot Button Report offers a distinct vantage point—one shaped by producer disclosure and brand engagement and informed by ongoing third-party audits.' Canopy shared plans to drop its 10th Hot Button Report before COP30 during the last quarter of 2025. That upcoming edition will not only benchmark the sector's standing but also serve as a 'testament to collective action,' with future demands including deeper investments in next-gen, stronger traceability and conservation strategies embedded throughout the supply chain. 'The path forward is clear,' Canopy said. 'The pace of progress will define the decade ahead.'
Fashion United
24-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Circulose launches Circulose Forward to facilitate the adoption of circular materials in partnership with Canopy
Swedish circular material company Circulose has partnered with global NGO Canopy to launch Circulose Forward, a solutions platform, designed to help facilitate and streamline the adoption of low-impact, Next Generation materials and products at scale. The new platform features practical tools, such as a digital materials library, price benchmarking and access to an optimized supplier network. Created to assist brands around the world in meeting their sustainability and circularity goals, the new platform also aims to build supply-chain resilience, without compromising commercial viability, quality or design. 'We're proud to support Circulose's launch of Circulose Forward,' said Nicole Rycroft, founder and executive director of Canopy in a statement. 'This platform provides practical, scalable solutions that align with both climate science and market needs. It's the kind of innovation that helps the industry leave deforestation in the past and move decisively toward a resilient, low-carbon, Next Gen future.' Key partners from Circulose Forward include Spanish fast-fashion brand Mango, the first brand to start commercially using Circulose in its collections, classic American brand Tommy Hilfiger, Spanish brand and manufacturer Bobo Choses and Tangshan Sanyou Chemical Fibre Co., the first production partner of Circulose. 'Environmental and social sustainability are a fundamental pillar of Mango's business model,' Andrés Fernández, sustainability and sourcing director at Mango, in a statement. 'The launch of Circulose Forward provides an innovative solution that aligns with our goal to exclusively use fibres with lower environmental impact by 2030 and to foster a more circular and responsible fashion ecosystem.' Thijs Maartens, VP Global Sustainability at Tommy Hilfiger, added: 'At Tommy Hilfiger, we believe the future of fashion should be circular, and we're taking steps to make it a reality launch of CIRCULOSE® Forward supports the scaling of Circulose within our collection and achieving our goal to increase our use of more innovative materials.' Circulose is a next-generation material made from cotton-rich textile waste, offering a circular alternative to virgin fibers like wood pulp or cotton. As a dissolving pulp, it enables the production of regenerated fibers, such as viscose, lyocell, modal, and acetate, while preserving quality and performance for high-end textile applications.
