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Synthetic fibers have taken a bashing in recent months, with numerous press reports suggesting much of the world’s drinking water is contaminated with plastic particles and that washing synthetic clothing could damage marine health.
With such headlines as: “Plastic fibres found in tap water around the world, study reveals”, “If you’re drinking tap water, you’re consuming plastic pollutants”, “Just how much plastic is ending up in our shellfish?”, “Plastic being ingested by fish and humans” and “Is your fleece killing marine life?”

Faced with less-than-positive press reports and potentially damaging studies from non-governmental organizations, the European manmade fiber industry has been challenged to raise its game and take the lead in efforts to produce fibers responsibly and sustainably.
The take-home message from the 56th Dornbirn Man-Made Fibers Congress is that innovation is key for the industry and all producers have to work together in partnership along the whole supply chain in a world that is becoming increasingly digital and driven by the