We are moving!
NAT is very proud to announce that our current blog hosted on WordPress has now taken up residence on our corporate website that was launched Monday of this week. Thank you to all of our followers for reading and sharing our news. We look forward to keeping you update to date on all the latest happenings at www.CRAiLAR.com. If you’d like to go directly to the blog click here.
CRAILAR.COM LAUNCHES
CRAILAR.COM SETS STAGE FOR NATURALLY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES’ INTRODUCTION OF CRAiLAR FLAX FIBER TO WORLDWIDE CONSUMERS
NAT announced this morning that it has launched its newly-created principal web property, Crailar.com. The site moves the Company’s external brand focus toward its featured product, CRAiLAR Flax Fiber, and aims to speak to consumers, growers, partner brands, and investors. Portland, Ore.-based Sticky Co., a multi-disciplinary design studio with a focus on interactive and motion media, executed the creative on the project. To read the full press release click here.
NAT Label Victory
Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. announced Monday that the Federal Trade Commission will allow the company to label products made with its fiber as “flax” rather than “linen.”
The distinction is important for the company, which keeps its executive offices in Portland, as it pursues a retail strategy with partners including HanesBrands, Target and Levi Strauss & Co., some of the brands that are evaluating or using Naturally Advanced’s flax-based Crailar fiber. To read the full story click here.
Corporate Eco Forum, The Nature Conservancy Release Report That Includes Naturally Advanced
We are always on the lookout for industry data that supports the value proposition of CRAiLAR, but are especially excited to be included in the newly released report, “The New Business Imperative: Valuing Natural Capital,” which reviews best practices of environmental stewardship by 24 global brands including Dell, Disney, Nike, Unilever, and, our longest-running partner, HanesBrands.
Broadly, the report outlines four main environmental and corporate benefits of conserving natural resources: 1) reduce risks, 2) cut costs, 3) enhance brand, and 4) fuel growth.
Announced with the Corporate Eco Forum and The Nature Conservancy at the September 2011 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, the report concludes with each of the 24 companies’ commitments to “demonstrate the need for business to protect and restore green infrastructure around the world including forests, fresh water and marine systems.”
In its commitment statement, HanesBrands, with which we announced a 10-year purchasing agreement in March 2011, outlined its approach to optimization of resources as it impacts Freshwater, Soil and Forests:
“HanesBrands is excited to introduce flax fiber to its product line, which we hope will not only provide a superior, natural product to our customers by enhancing wicking capabilities and durability when combined with cotton but also offer several ecological benefits including reduced pesticide use, lower water use, improved soil health and avoided deforestation.”
– Mike Faircloth, Chief Supply Chain Officer, HanesBrands Inc.
The 350-word statement goes on to outline HanesBrands’ commitment to working with NAT on manufacturing, agronomics, and industry adoption. Click here to view the full report.
Trashing Textiles
USAgain (pronounced “use-again”) has released an info-graphic illustrating how many pounds of textiles Americans trash every year. Pulling information from the EPA as well as running a 1,500 people survey, the green for-profit enterprise claims that 11 million tons of clothing end up in landfills each year. The recycling firm works to reduce textile waste by providing thousands of convenient locations across the US where we can drop off our gently used clothes and shoes any time of the day, any day of the year. By putting them back in the use cycle we conserve precious natural resources, prevent greenhouse gas emissions and save landfill space. We at CRAiLAR think it’s not only important that we make a concerted effort to recycle our fashion by-products but also that we buy clothing that is sourced and manufactured sustainably.
Pamplico CRAiLAR Facility Update
Hardhats required
Pick up & Delivery
A half ton each.
Neat, tidy and fast delivery
Baling in South Carolina
While many of you out there may see this type of activity on your local fields fairly regularly, trust us, it’s not flax that is being baled up. The CRAiLAR team is happy to see our flax which was harvested a few short weeks ago, get baled up, sorted and prepared to be picked up for delivery to our Pamplico facility. While the baling is taken care of with some very large machinery and talented operators, the logistics of getting the bales lined up, placed on the flatbeds, tied down and delivered is no small feat. Thanks to everyone for all your continued effort!
Field Day Update
Field Day went off without a hitch! Lucky for us, the weather cooperated and everyone had a great day out. An introductory meeting was held after the guests arrived at the Pee Dee Research Center.
With Dr. Roy Dodd as the Master of Ceremonies, our distinguished guests were introduced as they spoke and addressed the crowd. A grower’s guide was provided to all attendees and naturally allowed to ask questions along the way. An introduction to CRAiLAR and flax was provided along with an explanation of the field display. Guests were then shuttled to the field to see flax in various stages of growth and harvest along with the support equipment. Equipment representatives were available to answer any questions about machine settings & functions.
A big thank you goes out to everyone who came by to learn more about CRAiLAR and flax, share experiences from the past season, and prepare for the upcoming fall planting. Our informative afternoon was capped off with a delicious dinner, catered by Roger’s Bar B Que. Thank you for the great food and generous hospitality!
The Pee Dee Center Grounds.
Guests arrive and check out what’s happening at the CRAiLAR booth.
Patagonia Bares All with The Footprint Chronicles
Patagonia started The Footprint Chronicles in 2007 back when “corporate transparency” was not a buzz word. Not entirely sure where The Chronicles would lead them they began with the notion that if the information they were receiving had them squirming in their seats they were probably on the right track. Taking a close and personal look at their suppliers and manufacturers Patagonia has invested time, money and their employees into creating the most sustainable and eco-conscientious products for their consumers. Something the industry now likes to call corporate responsibility.
They have since added to and expanded their transparency. A global supply map displays the location of Patagonia’s material sourcing. They even have a reference library which holds all information on the textiles they use, the treatments they go through and the processes as well. With everything from paper use to compostability, Patagonia dedicates itself to leaving nature as uninterrupted as possible and rather themselves exposes the deepest roots of their corporation. As stated in The Footprint Chronicles mission statement we couldn’t agree more that when one company can reduce or eliminate a harm, other businesses will be eager to follow suit.
Naturally Advanced Blog 