Long at the forefront of gene-
sequencing and -therapy
technology, Illumina is picking
up steam thanks to the pro-
liferation of DNA sequencing
across a variety of medical
applications—including track-
ing infectious diseases like
COVID-19. Illumina says there
are now some 70 countries
using its tech to monitor and
analyze samples of the coro-
navirus, hoping to track how it
could mutate into variants. Just
as Illumina has helped sharply
reduce the cost of genetic
sequencing, it aims to do the
same for cancer diagnostics via
its acquisition of biotech Grail
(though the deal faces scrutiny
from antitrust regulators).Roughly 150 billion pieces of clothing are produced globally each year, but more than 60% are
thrown away within a few years of being made. The global appetite for fast, throwaway fashion
has serious environmental consequences, something that Levi Strauss is attempting to change
with the “Buy Better, Wear Longer” campaign it launched in April. The denim-maker is en-
couraging consumers to be more thoughtful about the clothes they purchase, urging them to
wear their jeans and other apparel for a longer period and buy new items less frequently—thus
potentially producing less waste in the long run. (The campaign also gives Levi’s the chance to
tout its own apparel’s durability and in-store tailor services, factors
for which the company hopes buyers pay a premium.) In addition
to its environmental push, Levi’s has focused on supporting and
retaining its workforce by rolling out an eight-week paid family
leave policy for its retail workers—an unusually generous benefit in
an industry that’s often stingy.NO. 20
Illumina
A med-tech pioneer puts
COVID-19 in its sights.
SAN DIEGONO. 21
Eastman Chemical
Deploying new technology
to address the planet’s
plastic problem.
KINGSPORT, TENN.In 2019, Eastman began up-
dating some plants to accept
plastic waste, in processes it
calls “carbon renewal technol-
ogy” and “polyester renewal
technology," through which
feedstocks are broken down
to the molecular level and
used to make products that
can theoretically be infinitely
recycled, and waste polyester
is made back into raw material.
Some 25 brands and compa-
nies, including fashion retailer
H&M, now sell products made
with Eastman materials
derived from plastic waste—in-
cluding packaging and carpet
fibers. Eastman aims to recycle
500 million pounds of plastic a
year by 2030.Levi StraussA Rare Plea to Consumers: Please Buy Less
Urging shoppers to choose durability over of-the-moment fashion.
SAN FRANCISCOSTAYING POWER
Levi Strauss jeans
(featuring the company’s
19th-century-inspired
logo) on a store shelf
in San Francisco.22
NO.GABBY JONES—THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX