Mount Holly, North Carolina-based American & Efird and its parent Elevate Textiles (formerly International Textile Group), which has headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, have launched new sustainability initiatives and introduced a 100% recycled thread line.
Elevate said in a news release that the company is committed to achieving specific sustainability targets by 2025 across its portfolio, which also includes the brands Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components. The new sustainability targets cover fiber sourcing, water use and greenhouse gas emissions, and represent an expansion of previously set company goals for all global operations.
Specifically, by 2025 Elevate aims to use 80% sustainably sourced cotton and 50% recycled polyester content; reduce water use by 25% per unit of production; and, as a participant in the Science Based Targets initiative (ScienceBasedTargets.org), will aim for an annual 2.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
American & Efird added a new ECO100 line of 100% recycled, industrial sewing threads. Products include Perma Core ECO100, Anefil Poly ECO100 and Wildcat ECO100, and can be used in various sewing operations in the manufacture of mattresses and bedding. The threads join the company’s robust selection of sustainable sewing threads in the Eco-Driven Thread Collection line, which includes Repreve, as well as organic thread products.
The product launch was driven by the company’s commitment to sustainability and the surge of sustainability pledges being made by its customers around the world, said Chris Alt, A&E president. “We support our customers’ sustainability goals and challenge the industry to ‘Expect More’ from their thread partners. Our customers continue to look for ways to make their sewn products more sustainable. A&E’s new ECO100 sewing threads will help them do just that.”
