Announcement
ZDHC has become a member of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), strengthening collaboration with a global organisation that represents stakeholders across the wool textile supply chain.
Wool and other natural fibres play an important role in global textile supply chains. The production, processing and finishing of these fibres involve a range of chemical inputs, making effective chemical management essential for protecting workers, communities and the environment.
Through membership of IWTO, ZDHC will contribute its expertise in safer chemistry and pollution prevention to discussions within the wool sector, while engaging with stakeholders on practical and scalable sustainability approaches. This creates opportunities to strengthen alignment between fibre-specific initiatives and the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme, supporting more consistent environmental practices across materials and manufacturing stages.
Working alongside IWTO members, ZDHC will support dialogue and knowledge exchange that reinforce prevention-based approaches to chemical management and shared responsibility across the textile value chain. This engagement reflects ZDHC’s belief that collaboration across sectors and fibre types is key to advancing practical, measurable improvements in environmental performance.
By joining IWTO, ZDHC aims to contribute to ongoing industry efforts to integrate effective chemical management with broader sustainability goals and to support responsible practices that benefit people, ecosystems and supply chain partners across wool and other materials.
‘With over 14 years of experience working closely with wool fibres, I continue to see wool as one of nature’s most remarkable technical fibres. Its unique morphology offers outstanding performance, yet its processing demands thoughtful and responsible chemical management to preserve its natural sustainability benefits. By joining IWTO, ZDHC is strengthening collaboration across the wool value chain to advance safer chemistry, pollution prevention, and shared responsibility. This partnership reflects our belief that meaningful progress in sustainability comes through collective action and practical alignment across the supply chain.’
Smita Bait, Senior Technical Manager - Fibres and Materials
The International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) is the recognised global trade body for the wool textile industry. Its membership spans the full value chain, including wool growers, processors, manufacturers, brands and retailers. IWTO works to support the responsible production and use of wool through the development of international standards, industry research and market intelligence.
In addition to technical and commercial activities, IWTO provides a forum for collaboration on sustainability, animal welfare and responsible production practices. By convening organisations from different regions and stages of production, IWTO helps align approaches and encourages shared understanding of challenges and opportunities facing the wool sector.
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