The CanopyStyle initiative, launched in 2013, has gained incredible momentum. Today, viscose producers representing close to 75% of the entire global capacity of viscose production have policies in place and 54% of supply has been audited through the CanopyStyle initiative. And it's been a busy few weeks for Canopy, with the launch of a new tool and new report.

In November, Canopy launched the ForestMapper, a one-of-a-kind interactive tool to visually represent ancient and endangered forests at a global scale. ForestMapper is the first iteration of a mapping tool that incorporates geospatial data from scientific experts to assist companies transitioning to more sustainable fiber supply chains and to help identify areas of potential sourcing risk. Bloomberg has more on the tool. Click here to learn more and launch the tool.

And in December, Canopy released the Hot Button Report, the yearly assessment of the performance of viscose and rayon producers to help them make responsible sourcing decisions, inform their engagement of suppliers, and reach their sustainability goals. This year, the report finds almost one third of global viscose supply is now verified as low risk of being sourced from the ancient and endangered forests, a testament to the good work of Canopy and their 160 brand partners. 

Highlights of producer performance in 2018 include:

• Three major producers, Lenzing, Birla Cellulose & filament yarn producer ENKA, representing 28% of global viscose supply, attained ‘light green shirt’ rankings;
• Yibin Grace, the world’s 5th largest by volume, is highlighted for proactively engaging with Canopy this year, and for quickly finalizing their policy and embarking on the CanopyStyle audit;
• Sanyou has risen to 4th place in the Hot Button rankings, earning a ‘yellow/green shirt’ indicating continuous progress;
• Sateri, a subsidiary of Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), earned the 10 ‘buttons’ needed to technically receive a yellow shirt, but was awarded a ‘yellow/red shirt’ due to confirmed high risk and sources of controversial fiber;
• Three producers have ‘red shirt’s, which indicate they do not meet minimum requirement for compliance;
• Three Chinese producers, Sateri, Sanyou and Fulida and German producer ENKA completed and published their CanopyStyle audits in 2018;
• Increasingly, viscose producers are taking action and playing an advocacy role to support the conservation of critical forest landscapes.

“With brands and retailers having clear purchasing guidelines to source only from Hot Button green-shirt producers from 2020 onwards, it is no longer an option for producers to ignore their forest impacts,” says Nicole Rycroft, Canopy Founder and Executive Director. “It is a clear sign that sustainable sourcing is imperative and that next generation solutions for the textile industry are on its way.”

The 2018 Hot Button edition encompasses a much deeper level of information & data to help brands avoid sourcing from the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests. As such, the report:

• Features for the first time a comprehensive list of 31 producers;
• Introduces a white shirt category for newly engaged producers that are yet to be fully assessed, as well as a market flag to highlight areas where caution and attention is required by the marketplace;
• Can be access online via a new interactive platform.

With projections for viscose use showing strong and continued growth, alternatives to forest-derived viscose are imperative. Catalyzing rapid and broad adoption of these next generation technologies and ‘disruptive’ innovation is a priority for Canopy and will feature prominently in the organization's work with fashion brands and textiles producers over the coming years. USFIA looks forward to continuing to work with Canopy on this important mission.