As rules and regulations—like the Fashion Act in the United States and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in Europe—and consumer demand for sustainability continue to grow, fashion companies across the globe are under pressure to quickly adapt their operations.
With sustainability at the core of Copen’s ethos, the global supplier of pocketing, waistbands and linings has managed to stay ahead of the curve. In fact, even with the introduction of new sustainability policies coming into effect in 2025, Copen has continued to innovate and integrate eco-friendly practices across its operations—from providing origin information and certifications on all its products to expanding its cotton pocketing offerings.
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Here, Kevin Bardsley, managing director of Copen Europe and board member of Copen United, discusses how the company is meeting market and regulatory demands while continuing its strategic expansion plan in countries like Mexico, Egypt and Israel.
SOURCING JOURNAL: Starting from the top, what’s in the works for Copen as we head into 2025?
Kevin Bardsley: Copen will continue working toward its sustainability and transparency goals, aligning with market demands and increasingly stringent regulations aimed at eradicating greenwashing. In line with this, we are excited to announce our ongoing expansion into regenerative cotton pocketing products as we move forward together on the sustainable and eco-friendly journey.
Additionally, Copen Mexico will open a new warehouse with waistband and pre-cut facilities to support our growing commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
Copen recently unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 Casual Collection. What is the inspiration behind this new line?
K.B.: We recognize that fashion, design and sustainability must be integrated as a default vision for the upcoming seasons. With this in mind, Copen has prepared an assortment, dubbed Casual Collection, of designs and products that align with both current and future trends, while maintaining a strong focus on promoting sustainability and competitive pricing.
Copen recently announced a new partnership with Globaltex Morocco. How will this collaboration enhance Copen’s ability to provide a more connected and efficient supply chain?
K.B.: Over the past 12 years, Copen has significantly expanded its European operations and is now recognized as a leading supplier of pocketing, lining, tapes and waistbands across multiple continents, serving some of the world’s most reputable brands and retailers.
Globaltex Morocco is our most recent venture, where we are strategically positioned to supply fast-fashion giants across Europe with same-day stock service. While pricing, versatility and quality are critical factors, Copen is also investing in bringing products closer to the needle point. This reduces lead times, eliminates minimum order quantity (MOQ) restrictions and increases flexibility for customers, further strengthening Copen’s global footprint.
Shifting gears toward denim, how do you see the demand for eco-friendly denim evolving in the next few years?
K.B.: Sustainability and eco-friendliness have become default topics in our market, with terms like Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), organic, recycled and regenerative now commonplace in our daily business.
At Copen, our major focus is to support these initiatives with the equally critical subject of transparency. Many retailers, brands and vendors are now choosing Copen as a supplier because of our exceptional work in preparing documentation tailored to the specific needs of each brand, covering multiple regions. This ensures that brands can confidently order products knowing that the origins and certifications are all verified and respected.
Looking ahead to 2025, what do you see as the key sustainability challenges and opportunities for the fashion industry, and how is Copen preparing to address them?
K.B.: In many aspects of sustainability, we believe Copen is ahead of the curve. However, we remain committed to evolving our sustainable presence and ensuring that we stay clean, efficient, flexible and transparent—challenges that we aim to tackle in 2025.
Additionally, in 2025 Copen will expand operations into Israel and Egypt to support our U.S. customers with qualified industrial zones (QIZ)-certified materials, marking a significant investment in Copen’s future global service. Our team will also be showcasing our products at the Denimsandjeans Exhibition in Cairo on Feb. 2 to 3, 2025.
To learn more about Copen United and its plans for 2025, click here.
