139
low amount of pigments required and entrapment of the pigment in the fi ber
structure, the spun-dyed fabric can be expected to cause substantially lower human
and eco-toxicity impacts compared to conventionally dyed fabric. From a gate
(fi ber)-to-gate (dyed fabric) comparison, it was found that the spun-dyed fabrics
need 60–90 % less water, chemicals, electricity and heat and generate 60 % lower
wastewater emissions than conventionally dyed fabrics. These savings can reduce
production costs. All technical details of the spun-dyed fabric LCA can be found in
Terinte et al. ( 2014 ).
4.1.3 Business Decisions Supported by LCA
The business development department is reaching out to potential new customers to
make new products/applications, such as fabrics for automobiles, based on the
environmental performance of the spun-dyed fi bers compared to conventional
dyeing of different materials. The marketing department has been using the insights
provided by LCA to communicate to textile brands and retailers. These business
functions decided to use sustainability as a value proposition on par and without
compromising other aspects like quality, functionality and price. By this means,
sustainability is integrated into day-to-day business.
4.1.4 Stakeholders’ Responses and Sustainable Value Creation
The innovative fi ber production process triggered positive responses from various
stakeholders. Due to the improved performance of the supply chains, there would be
fewer allegations from NGOs against supply chain partners and thus lower operational risks. The customers (brand and retailers) can improve the overall performance of their products and they can reduce the reputational risks from supply
chain partners such as dyeing mills. This would help brands and retailers to create
value such as innovative products (garments) with lower impacts, enhanced brand
reputation, and legitimacy (The Cambodia Daily 2014 ). The spin-dyeing needs
fewer resources than conventional dyeing and thus reduces the variable production
costs of fi nal products. The local community can benefi t from these improvements
due to lower water pollution and reduced pressure on water resources. Owing to all
the above aspects, the fi ber producer could differentiate the spun-dyed fi bers in the
market and be a preferred supplier to brands and retailers.
This LCA was conducted during the business development stage. The innovation was accomplished before the LCA study was started. This LCA was used to
quantify the environmental improvements which will be useful for developing
new applications and attract new customers. Therefore the innovation department of fi ber producer participated in the LCA to provide data and necessary
information.
11 Sustainable Value Creation with Life Cycle Management
low amount of pigments required and entrapment of the pigment in the fi ber
structure, the spun-dyed fabric can be expected to cause substantially lower human
and eco-toxicity impacts compared to conventionally dyed fabric. From a gate
(fi ber)-to-gate (dyed fabric) comparison, it was found that the spun-dyed fabrics
need 60–90 % less water, chemicals, electricity and heat and generate 60 % lower
wastewater emissions than conventionally dyed fabrics. These savings can reduce
production costs. All technical details of the spun-dyed fabric LCA can be found in
Terinte et al. ( 2014 ).
4.1.3 Business Decisions Supported by LCA
The business development department is reaching out to potential new customers to
make new products/applications, such as fabrics for automobiles, based on the
environmental performance of the spun-dyed fi bers compared to conventional
dyeing of different materials. The marketing department has been using the insights
provided by LCA to communicate to textile brands and retailers. These business
functions decided to use sustainability as a value proposition on par and without
compromising other aspects like quality, functionality and price. By this means,
sustainability is integrated into day-to-day business.
4.1.4 Stakeholders’ Responses and Sustainable Value Creation
The innovative fi ber production process triggered positive responses from various
stakeholders. Due to the improved performance of the supply chains, there would be
fewer allegations from NGOs against supply chain partners and thus lower operational risks. The customers (brand and retailers) can improve the overall performance of their products and they can reduce the reputational risks from supply
chain partners such as dyeing mills. This would help brands and retailers to create
value such as innovative products (garments) with lower impacts, enhanced brand
reputation, and legitimacy (The Cambodia Daily 2014 ). The spin-dyeing needs
fewer resources than conventional dyeing and thus reduces the variable production
costs of fi nal products. The local community can benefi t from these improvements
due to lower water pollution and reduced pressure on water resources. Owing to all
the above aspects, the fi ber producer could differentiate the spun-dyed fi bers in the
market and be a preferred supplier to brands and retailers.
This LCA was conducted during the business development stage. The innovation was accomplished before the LCA study was started. This LCA was used to
quantify the environmental improvements which will be useful for developing
new applications and attract new customers. Therefore the innovation department of fi ber producer participated in the LCA to provide data and necessary
information.
11 Sustainable Value Creation with Life Cycle Management