Input-Oriented Chemicals Management Along the Textile Supply Chain

Abstract

In the textile supply chain—specifically in textile finishing—chemicals play a crucial role. The amount, kind and the processing conditions of chemicals bear considerable impact on environmental performance as well as occupational and consumer safety. For this reason, chemicals management should be focused upon as well as addressed commonly and in a coordinated manner. In the following, it is investigated to what extent input-oriented chemicals management illustrates a solution for the highly complex and seemingly impenetrable global textile supply chain. The relevant stakeholders—chemical suppliers, textile manufacturers and brands—are defined by means of their tasks and interrelation with each other within the supply chain. Further, instruments for chemicals management—that can reach from meeting legal requirements up to taking voluntary actions such as testing and a system-oriented approach—and their effectiveness will be explained. In specific, foundational elements of a system-oriented approach will be defined by ascribing responsibilities to stakeholders regarding the choice and application of textile chemicals. Thereby, a positive list of analyzed and assessed textile chemicals is introduced as an efficient tool. It will become clear that the concept of ‘product stewardship’ and its consequent implementation throughout the entire textile supply chain represents the key to an increasingly sustainable textile production. All players in the supply chain need to be willing to approach alternatives and to follow a chemicals management strategy, which goes hand in hand with ‘chemicals change management’ and induces companies to think one step further, rethink and foremost do not think short-term.