It’s been a challenging year for producers and brands in the man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF) space. The global environmental nonprofit Canopy released their 2026 Hot Button Report, assessing the sustainability of the largest global MMCF producers.

The report states that the forest-based supply is more exposed to volatility for a number of reasons: The land base that’s available to source from is limited and contested while there is simultaneous demand growth across sectors. Meanwhile, the forest that is available is declining in stability due to climate change. In the summer of 2026, fires devastated the northern hemisphere. In 2027, drought will continue to exacerbate forest fires with a “super El Nino” predicted, lifting global temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns.

The trade system is also being fragmented by global trade dynamics like export restrictions, tariffs, sanctions cutting off certain sources, and shipping and logistics breakdowns. Existing sourcing patterns are further being disrupted by regulatory oversight. As different countries and blocs roll out regulations related to deforestation and forest-sourcing, trade routes have to adapt to satisfy each area.

Some of the change has been favorable—the report also highlights the progress made in Next Generation product lines. There are now 20 product lines available on the market made with more sustainable feedstocks, up from 16 lines last year. Twelve of these lines are offered by Chinese producers who have invested in research and development into new feedstocks and technologies, ranging from recycled textiles to on-purpose crops to certified bamboo.

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