The 10th Edition of the Hot Button Report by Canopy demonstrates the massive transformation in the global man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF) supply chain since 2016.
The industry's most trusted tool for evaluating MMCF fiber sourcing, the Hot Button Report shows, the sector has moved from having zero low-risk Green Shirt producers in 2016 to 21 in 2025. It also went from having no commercial-scale Next Gen fiber lines to 16 available today. These findings prove that significant change in the fashion industry can happen in years, not decades.
Released in Lisbon, the 2025 Hot Button Report offers the most comprehensive look at how MMCF producers are eliminating sourcing from the world’s ancient and endangered forests while speeding up the shift to low-carbon, circular Next Gen alternatives. The report rates 98 per cent of global MMCF production using Canopy's recognizable ‘shirt’ system. The results show, almost 70 per cent of producers now earning Green, Partial Dark Green, or Dark Green status - a sharp improvement from just nine years ago.
The top spots in the ratings are shared by Lenzing and Tangshan Sanyou, with Aditya Birla close behind in second place. Other producers achieving Dark Green Shirt status include Jilin Chemical Fiber, Yibin Grace, and Xinxiang Chemical Fiber Co. (Bailu), all of whom made major strides in Next Gen integration last year, along with other industry leaders.
This year’s Report includes contributions from 30 global MMCF producers, including two new companies, bringing the total of Green Shirt-rated production to 54% in 2025.
According to Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director, Canopy, the leaders in the Hot Button are proving that investing in Next Gen solutions is essential for building resilient, low-carbon supply chains to meet brand expectations, reduce volatile raw material supply, and deliver long-term business value.
While all leading companies showed unique strengths, they all invested in advancing Next Gen fiber alternatives, which is crucial for reducing reliance on forests and improving supply chain resilience.
MI Demo and Saolon (formerly Mitsubishi) have moved up from Light Green to Partially Dark Green Shirts while Yibin Grace opened the first recycled dissolving pulp mill in China. Xinxiang Chemical Fibre (Bailu) launched a direct textile-to-textile MMCF facility, while Tangshan Sanyou debuted a testing facility for the same technology. Jilin Chemical Fiber introduced Reboocel, a new recycled bamboo pulp line. On the other hand, Tangshan Sanyou advanced the development of Next Gen Lyocell and Xinxiang Chemical Fiber opened a juncao grass MMCF facility.
In total, 16 individual Next Gen MMCF product lines, from 12 producers, are now commercially available.
