Canopy is supporting the promotion of rayon and viscose products made from low-impact alternative fibers such as textile waste, microbial cellulose and agriculture residues.

Between 70 to 100 million trees are logged annually to produce pulp for rayon, viscose, modal and other cellulosic fibers. With demand for dissolving pulp projected to increase 122 per cent in the next 40 years, the cellulosic fiber industry poses a growing threat to vulnerable forest ecosystems.

Technology, however, could help. With viscose mills rallying to support new inputs, next-generation feed stocks could replace at least 90 per cent of viscose production volumes coming from ancient and endangered forests by the end of 2025. By 2030, as much as 50 per cent of all viscose could be made from next-generation feedstocks. Of the world’s five largest viscose producers, three already offer initial product lines with 20 per cent to 50 per cent recycled cotton. With an estimated 26 million metric tons of waste cotton and viscose textiles landfilled every year, a fraction of that could be mined to produce the 6.5 million metric tons of viscose currently generated annually.

The industry is moving away from viscose containing ancient and endangered forests and is ready for new innovative viscose fiber sources.