The fibre changed. The system did not. And the industry pays every time. Before polyester, fashion’s fibres were expensive, labour-intensive and geographically constrained. Silk came from China. Wool came from farms. Cotton needed land and water. The supply chain was slow, and the product was
The EU’s Environmental Footprint Methods policy falsely ranks polyester as more sustainable than cotton and wool, disregarding effects of microplastic pollution and the benefits of biodegradability. This flawed assessment threatens consumer perception and future market share for natural fibres, writes Roger Tomkins, Australian Cotton Shippers Association Fast Facts













