Create with purpose.
Lead the future.
MARK HARTNELL
TEXTILE CONSULTANCY
Create with purpose.
Lead the future.
Economic common sense, shifting consumer sentiment, and tighter legislation are forcing the textile industry to confront waste and resource use: linear business models and superficial sustainability claims have become liabilities. From next-generation feedstocks and smarter supply chains, to transparency and value driven customer engagement, a new era is emerging.


If you want to deliver responsible, high-quality, durable products that people can love and connect with; engage your customers with authenticity and purpose; reduce waste; minimise reliance on virgin resources; be prepared for EPR and the responsible end-of-life management of your products, let’s explore how to make it happen.


Lead the future.
I help brands, manufacturers, mills and spinners of all sizes create great products responsibly. I will help you future-proof your supply chain, communicate your positive impact with confidence, and create lasting customer loyalty.
Your decisions will shape the future.
Developing a sustainability strategy can be a complex process. I will help focus your efforts in the areas that will be key to making meaningful progress. What are your brand’s specific sustainability goals, and how will you measure success? From reducing environmental impact to improving social responsibility, it’s important to define clear objectives that align with your values. I will help you identify the most impactful areas, create a sustainability roadmap, ‘SMART’ targets, and establish metrics for tracking progress, ensuring your strategy is both effective and aligned with your brand’s vision for a more sustainable future.
With a deep dive into the materials you use – or plan to use – I will assess their origin, processing methods, certifications, and associated impacts. This audit identifies the risks your value chain may pose to people, animals, and the environment. I assess issues such as land and water use, energy intensity, chemical use, recyclability and end-of-life management, working conditions, supply chain inequalities, community effects, and animal welfare. Based on this evaluation, I provide guidance on how to reduce risks and improve the responsibility and sustainability of your material choices.
Have you defined your preferred materials and are you clear about the reasoning behind those choices? Whilst traditional polyester and cotton dominate production, both have serious environmental challenges. With a growing range of alternative fibres and feedstocks, how do you select the right materials for your business? Are natural fibres preferable to synthetics? What are regenerative and 3rd-gen feedstocks? Would bio-synthetics or next-gen cellulosics suit your needs? What do ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’ actually mean—and how do they compare to recyclable materials? I help you make informed, strategic decisions based on price, performance, impact, and relevance to your brand.
Finding the right suppliers for your business is critical – not just for cost, performance and quality, but also for meeting your ESG standards. I help you evaluate partners based on their capabilities, limitations, certifications and values. Whether you’re sourcing for innovation, transparency, or environmental impact reduction, I’ll guide you through selecting suppliers who align with your goals and provide the insight you need to make informed, confident decisions.
Textiles are incredibly versatile. Yarn and fabric constructions offer endless possibilities. Smart engineering can improve functionality whilst reducing cost and waste. Yet far too often, products are made from off-the-shelf textiles not designed with their specific end-use in mind. I help you assess the suitability of proposed materials or lead the development of fabrics tailored to your specific needs. I evaluate claims, troubleshoot issues, and interpret testing data—so you can build better products from the yarn up.
Transparency and traceability are no longer optional – they’re essential. They empower brands and manufacturers to prove sustainability efforts, identify risks, and build trust. Today’s conscious consumers demand proof, not promises. Knowing where, how, and by whom your products are made isn’t just ethical, it’s also your competitive edge. I’ll guide you through available tools, from forensic and additive tracers to digital product passports, and help you to build a traceable and trusted supply chain that sets you apart.
Are your products truly designed with end-of-life in mind? Circularity starts with smarter choices around raw materials and construction. I help brands and manufacturers navigate recyclability challenges – whether related to fibre blends, material compatibility, or selecting appropriate recycling technologies (mechanical, chemical, or next-gen). From mono-material development to recycled feedstock selection and design-for-recycling principles, I’ll help you overcome barriers, unlock opportunities, meet existing and forthcoming legislation, and design for a more circular textile future – right from the start.
Does your sustainability story truly reflect your values – and connect with your audience? I help brands create communication strategies that are authentic, relevant, and engaging. From crafting clear, evidence-backed messaging to co-marketing campaigns and cause-driven collaborations, I guide you in turning impact into influence. Together, we’ll craft a credible, impactful story that strengthens your brand and builds lasting connections.
Whether you’re creating a new brand, launching a product line, entering a new market, or simply exploring an idea, I provide tailored research and expert insight to support your next move. If you need clarity on a topic, help evaluating options, or deeper understanding of a sustainability challenge or opportunity, I’ll deliver the knowledge and strategic guidance you need to move forward with confidence.


