LTP has joined forces with The Microfibre Consortium

June 2022

Today is UN World Environment Day, and the theme this year is ‘Only One Earth. Let's take care of it.’

LTP has joined forces with The Microfibre Consortium to gain knowledge on research findings and solutions to prevent the manufacturing-related release of microfiber into our ecosystems.

The environmental issue we would like to address on this day is the release of microfibers/microplastic from textiles. As a global manufacturer of Sport & Outdoor apparel and accessories and bed & cover textiles, we are concerned about the impact of microfiber on biodiversity and human health.  

Based on findings from recent scientific studies, fiber fragments released from garments and home textiles during washing, drying, and wearing are considered a new source of environmental pollution and health hazard. In March 2022, microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time*. Research teams found evidence for marine species contamination with microfibers, including polyester in new deep-sea species, showing the extent of marine pollution.  

Policymakers have a growing focus on the issue. The EU Eco-design for Sustainable Products proposal for a new regulation includes fiber release prevention criteria. In the UK NGOs, business leaders, and other stakeholders urges the British government to ban the sale of washing machines that are not fitted with microfiber filters.  

At LTP we decided to join the Microfiber Consortium.  With this membership, we widen the research project to manufacturing technologies and their role in mitigating microfiber release. The Microfiber Consortium provides the apparel industry and policymakers with research findings and solutions to prevent the release of microfiber into our ecosystems.

With this membership, we build expertise and foster knowledge sharing across our industries. We conduct this work under our sustainability commitments: ‘Embrace Durability & Circularity’.