Advancing supply chain transparency with Carrington Textiles

Carrington Textiles is one of our key partners for workwear fabrics. Our collaboration began on a small scale about 15 years ago. Over the years, it expanded into a close and open collaboration with shared goals. This year, Carrington Textiles joined our Sustainability Champions programme, which promotes a more sustainable supply chain. In autumn, during the first Lindström Supplier Days, they received an award for their commitment to supply chain transparency.

We wanted to learn more about how they work to improve transparency through their supply chain. Neil Davey, Chief Commercial Officer at Carrington Textiles, shares his insights.

Together with Lindström, we understand that environmental impacts occur throughout the value chain and that stakeholder engagement is key to creating better products and services.

Neil Davey, Chief Commercial Officer
Carrington Textiles

What does sustainability mean to Carrington Textiles?

Sustainability has always been an important part of the Carrington Textiles business ethos. We see it as a long-term journey that supports transparency, accountability and continuous improvement across our operations. Today, sustainability goes way beyond simply investing in machinery..

We focus on the three 3 P’s:

• Our People – ensuring they are totally engaged, empowered and able to work in a safe and positive environment.
• Our Processes – continuously improving and reducing every type of waste at every step of the way.
• Our Product – by focusing more of our product development on sustainable fibres and technologies, creating better products and reducing our impact on the environment.

The aim is to build a successful and responsible company that recognises its responsibilities to stakeholders and the environment.

How do you ensure transparency throughout your supply chain?

We ensure transparency by working within the RTS Textiles Group, the parent company of Carrington Textiles. The group operates an integrated manufacturing network, giving us clear visibility from fibre selection to finished fabric. Across the group, we maintain long-standing relationships with carefully selected suppliers whose values align with ours. Regular audits, shared data, and consistent communication support these relationships.

This approach allows us to monitor materials, processes and compliance at every stage. It ensures that the information we provide to customers is accurate and traceable.

What tools, certifications, or systems do you use to trace the origin and environmental impact of your materials?

In 2024, we made a pivotal commitment to sustainability by supporting the Better Cotton initiative for all our fabrics containing cotton. This initiative reflects our dedication to reducing our environmental footprint and offer responsibly sourced materials.

We use REPREVE® recycled polyester in many products, as well as several developments using organic cotton, TENCEL™, Sorona®, CiCLO® and recycled polyester made from post-consumer garments.

In addition, certifications such as OEKO-TEX® STeP, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, ISO 45001, 14001 and 50001, GOTS, HIGG FEM and SA8000 validate our ongoing dedication to compliance, safety and transparency.

How do you work with your supply chain to improve transparency and accountability?

We are proud to collaborate closely with professionals across our sector, including many leading innovators in fabric technology. In partnership, we evolve ideas that shape our industry and help address the challenges of a rapidly changing global market. Our shared objective is to offer a competitive edge while delivering the highest values in quality, durability and environmental protection.

Could you share some concrete examples of sustainability initiatives?

On the operational side, we continue to strengthen our environmental performance across our sites in the UK, Portugal and Pakistan. We have invested in effluent treatment plants, Combined Heat and Power units to reuse waste heat and generate electricity, biomass boilers for steam production and solar installations.

From a product development perspective, we are broadening our adoption of lower-impact fibres and technologies. This includes growing our portfolio of chemically recycled polyester, increasing the use of bio-based stretch solutions and diversifying developments that incorporate recognised sustainable technologies. These efforts help make sure our new products combine technical performance with a reduced footprint.

Internally, we reinforce these commitments through initiatives like Sustainability 101, a series of in-house training sessions for all employees. This ensures sustainable values are embedded throughout the organisation.

Have you noticed a shift in customer expectations or market requirements towards greater sustainability?

Yes, expectations have increased significantly. Customers now want greater clarity on sourcing, environmental impact and performance throughout a garment’s lifecycle. Requests for detailed traceability data, third-party certifications and verified value chain information have become more common. Sustainability criteria now play a larger role in tender processes than ever before.

Among our customer base, Lindström has been one of the strongest drivers of this shift. The wider market has also accelerated over the past five years. Industry bodies, such as ETSA, encourage greater transparency and shared standards across the textile services sector.

What do you see as the next big opportunity or challenge in building more transparency and sustainability in the textile supply chain?

The next major challenge is achieving meaningful decarbonisation across an energy-intensive value chain. At the same time, we must maintain the performance, consistency and service that customers expect. Transparency now relies on precise data rather than broad commitments. This means every stage – from fibre production to finishing – must be monitored, measured and verified.

The opportunity lies in using this data to drive smarter decisions, build clearer pathways to net zero, and strengthen customer trust. As part of this, we will continue to update stakeholders through our annual Sustainability Reports. This ensures that progress is communicated openly as we develop the systems needed for long-term change.

What message would you like to share with other suppliers about the importance of transparency and collaboration?

We recognise the responsibility we carry towards our stakeholders and the environment. We remain committed to our sustainability journey and continuous improvement through collaboration, innovation and transparency. By working together across the supply chain, we can build a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient textile future.