Articles by Simone Preuss
Simone Preuss is a freelance journalist specialising in apparel production, sustainability and social responsibility. She has been working with FashionUnited since 2012, gaining valuable insights into an ever-changing industry.
Heat stress: the very real supply chain risk the fashion industry can no longer ignore
The temperature is 35 degrees celsius but feels like 40 degrees due to the humidity. The air is stifling, the garment dust making it hard to breathe. The old ceiling fan is creaking and full of dust too, barely cooling the air. Workers, used to not drinking too much to avoid frequent bathroom breaks, sip on water spiked with electrolytes but...
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DPP readiness: When and how brands and suppliers can get started
The Digital Product Passport (DPP), part of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), will create a standardised system for sharing comprehensive product data, from information about durability and recyclability to recycled content and environmental footprint. “It is emerging as one of the most transformative regulatory and...
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How to do it: Brands talk about DPP implementation
The digital product passport (DPP) is currently being rolled out under the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). From 2027, it will be mandatory for priority product groups, including garments and textiles, and will apply to almost all physical goods sold in the EU, regardless of where the manufacturer is located. For...
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Navigating DPP implementation: Renoon CEO on challenges and gains
Operational questions are causing a bottleneck when it comes to DPP implementation rather than its requirements. Who owns this data internally? Which budget covers it? Which suppliers need to be onboarded first? On what timeline? These are some of the questions that DPP provider Renoon faced. The company started as an app for sustainable fashion...
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OECD warns of inflation, slow global growth in case of prolonged Middle East conflict
The apparel, footwear and textile industries are bracing for impact as the evolving conflict in the Middle East reshapes the global economic landscape. According to the OECD’s latest “Economic Outlook,” a severe energy shock is driving up inflationary pressures and stifling global growth — factors that directly threaten fashion supply chains,...
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How the mould crisis is reshaping fashion supply chains
The “Mould Crisis” of 2026 is a direct byproduct of the extended maritime detour around the Cape of Good Hope, which has become a semi-permanent fixture due to the 2026 Strait of Hormuz (SoH) closure and continued Red Sea instability. What began as a logistical delay has evolved into a quality assurance nightmare, particularly for shipments...
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Textile production in Germany: “Inventing Industry 7.0” at Textile Factory 7.0
The German government-funded future project, “Textile Factory 7.0” (T7), launched almost a year ago. It is a collaboration between the University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) and other stakeholders from research, business and local authorities. The ambitious goals were announced in July 2025 already: Production and business...
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Philippine's sustainable textiles get boost from banana plantations
The recent establishment of the Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) in Benito Soliven, Isabela, represents a significant leap for the Philippine textile industry. By leveraging the region’s vast banana plantations, which cover approximately 1,200 hectares, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is transforming agricultural...
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First DPP-ready textile library goes live
Brands and retailers that are currently preparing for the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) regulation can start by sourcing verified, compliance-ready textiles directly from a structured, supplier-level data library, which went live on 21st May. The library is the brainchild of World Collective who connects brands with next-generation...
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How AI can support fashion companies
The modern fashion industry operates under constant strain, where traditional forecasting models frequently clash with unpredictable market realities. Siloed workflows, fragmented planning systems and a heavy reliance on manual processes mean that crucial information is often trapped in disconnected spreadsheets, tech packs and erratic...
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