Students learn about sustainability concepts and CSR standards based on the three-pillar model.

They will also learn about the most important social and environmental standards and know about the problems of their implementation in the textile chain. Furthermore, after completing the module Supply Chain Management, the students should be able to evaluate and assess concepts according to classical economic as well as ecological aspects.

In these subjects, the comprehensive management of sustainability issues in organizations is dealt with, which means, among other things, identifying the relevant issues, developing a sustainability strategy or CSR management suitable for the organization, involving relevant stakeholders and sustainability reporting. Life cycle assessment for environmental sustainability is covered as well as social issues of labor and human rights. Other important topics are compliance and prevention of corruption, ethical behavior and an outlook on sustainable consumption.

From yarn to surface, from surface to product. Knitting technology with the whole range of its technical possibilities is the creative platform for students in the Master's optional course "Experimental Knitting" to explore a wide variety of materials. Typically, we face - in the sense of sustainability - one material per semester and explore holistically its material limits in surface and form up to the finishing. The use of "mono-materials" serves the purpose of recyclability, experiments with products that are true to form aim at production possibilities without material loss (zero waste). The spectrum of materials ranges from natural fibers, such as wool and linen, to plant-based bioplastics (PLA).

Sustainability in the textile industry also means using virtual product development to facilitate, shorten and replace costly patterning and development processes. Especially in the flat knitting sector, the virtual design of patterns, surfaces and products is becoming increasingly important, since starting with the yarn, surface and shape have to be developed. The optional course "Virtual 3D Knit Design" is open to master students of different orientations. In the context of the requirements of Industry 4.0, the virtual models replace costly patterning processes and prototype production and at the same time form the preliminary stage for implementation in knitting programming. Their use ranges from in-house sampling to a sales tool in the virtual showroom. In terms of sustainability, they thus reduce costs, time, logistics and material expenses worldwide, enable individualized products and batch size 1.
(start of lectures planned for spring 2020)

The course provides an introduction to textile finishing processes and machinery and establishes the connections to the sustainable use of resources such as energy, water and raw materials for chemical auxiliaries in the textile finishing industry. For example, methods of wastewater treatment using biological clarification stages and membrane filtration to recycle process water are covered. Furthermore, the topics of consumer protection through eco-labels and here exemplarily the eco-label Ökotex Standard 100 are considered. Lists compiled by the Apparel Coalition and Greenpeace and chemicals to be avoided and substituted in textile production are discussed, taking into account the function of the respective products. For example, azo dyes, non-ionic surfactants, and perfluorinated surfactants are addressed: where are, or were, they used and how can they be substituted? Finally, aspects of clothing physiology are worked out using the example of various functional textiles (membrane textiles, fleece) and different finishing methods (coating, laminating, napping and shearing).

In bachelor's and master's theses, independent topics can be worked on in the context of corporate sustainability strategies or also in current research projects. Colleagues from teaching education, the research institutes FTB and A.U.G.E. as well as the EthNa Competence Centre CSR supervise work in these areas. Topics can be explored in more depth in studies and project assignments, and sustainability projects take place regularly as part of the 5th semester projects.

The student group fairquer reports on sustainability in the clothing industry, wants to educate and show alternatives: https: //www.fairquer.org/.

In addition, the association FEMNET e.V. regularly organizes workshops on feminist perspectives on the textile industry, politics and society: https://femnet.de/.

The faculty is involved in the steering committee Fair Trade Town Mönchengladbach and participates annually in the nationwide Fair Week: https: //www.moenchengladbach.de/de/wirtschaft/fairtrade-town-mg/

In addition, the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology regularly organizes a Sustainability Day in November in cooperation with other faculties.

The research institute for textiles and clothing at the Hochschule Niederrhein carries out complex projects to improve sustainability in the textile processing chain. Each year, around 65 students from the Bachelor 's and Master's degree programmes take part in these projects as assistants, or as part of their theses. www. hs-niederrhein.de/ftb/

The A.U.G.E. affiliated institute and the EthNa Competence Centre CSR carry out research and development tasks in the field of CSR, ethics and sustainability by means of publicly funded programs, but can also be commissioned directly by companies. In addition, the EthNa Competence Centre CSR finances a website that provides knowledge and assistance to employees in textile and clothing companies and their customers: www.csr-textil-bekleidung.de.