#Sustainability

2019-05-17

Circularity in European manufacturing

The European industry and global leading fashion organisations begin the reshaping of the textile and apparel sector.bSimultaneously, a call for cooperation and new partnerships is launched from Frankfurt and Copenhagen, world’s leading meeting points for textile manufacturing and fashion.With “Prospering in the Circular Economy”, EURATEX - the voice of the European Textile and Apparel industry - with its National Members has taken stock of where Circular Economy is already used in European manufacturing and what it takes to scale it up, to unleash its full potential.

Today at techtextil + texprocess, EURATEX is delighted to announce taking the initiative to a new level and boosting cooperation both within Europe and at global scale. In the European Industry, EURATEX sets out a new strategy, working with its Members and companies to design solutions fit to enable circular economy at wide scale.

The European Industry offers hands-on experience of pioneers, and unique technical expertise on textile manufacturing. The strategy will be developed in 2019 and will focus on the roles of the industry, of the EU and local policy makers, the needs to remove barriers, lessons from research and innovation, and the new types of partnerships that circularity demands.

“We need new partnerships to promote sustainable purchasing practices and create a demand for circularity of products; we need to relay on smart policy measures which reward business investments and entrust a level playing field competition on a global scale for the responsible businesses.” - Alberto Paccanelli, EURATEX President-Elect

A joint industry Manifesto

On 14 May, a day ahead of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit 2019, five leading apparel organisations partner to call on existing and forthcoming EU policymakers to rethink tools to establish a circular fashion system.

The joint Industry Manifesto sets the scene framing agreed key issues which shall inspire industry and policy makers’ actions notably to bring on board all steps of the value chain, local and global actors, SMEs, consumers.

A new approach is called for: a new toolbox bringing together private and public initiatives, coordination and smart regulation, to address issues the industry cannot address alone.Ultimately, a new formula to rewrite the book of rules and procedures shall be agreed upon to deliver new policies and new partnerships.

Mauro Scalia, EURATEX Director of Sustainable Businesses, says: “we believe joint endeavors can win global challenges. The Manifesto shows that finding new ways for unprecedented coordination is possible”.

Jérome Pero, Secretary General, FESI, states that “[...] to drive change, it is essential that all actors work together to make it happen. That’s why I believe this manifesto is a perfect, timely call to unite everyone”.

Eva Kruse, CEO and President, Global Fashion Agenda: “This manifesto is extremely significant as it is the first time so many influential organisations in the fashion industry have come together to work with policymakers on a unified approach to circularity [...]”

Matthijs Crietee, Secretary General, IAF, says “[...] IAF will actively use its worldwide network to help create the connections for a global approach to circular fashion”

Baptiste Carrière-Pradal, Vice President, SAC, emphasizes that “[...] Through this European collaboration we can support legislation that promotes lasting industry improvements globally.”

Download the Joint Manifesto:

https://www.euratex.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/events/Circular_Economy_Manifesto_Digital.pdf

Towards pragmatic and harmonised labelling in the EU

EDANA, alongside 14 European associations, urges the European Commission and Member States to adopt a pragmatic approach for the future harmonised packaging labels, in line with the EU’s agenda for the EU Single Market, simplification and competitiveness. The system should rely on text-free pictograms, available in achromatic or monochromatic versions matching the packaging palette, with the possibility of using digital labelling as a core element. Our associations represent manufacturers of consumer goods across Europe.

Textile PRO Forum calls for greater harmonisation of textile EPR systems across Europe

The Textile PRO Forum has published a new analysis highlighting the need for greater harmonisation of textile Extended Producer Responsibility systems across Europe. The document, Toward harmonised Textile EPR Systems in Europe: analysis and recommendations, presents the results of work carried out by Workstream 1 of the Textile PRO Forum, led by Dr. Eng. Viola Corbellini, Strategic Development and Innovation Expert at Erion Textiles, and Eng. Luca Campadello, General Director at Erion Textiles. The workstream focused on reducing administrative burden for textile producers by identifying areas where procedures could be better aligned across countries.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

Europe is losing its textile industry

EURATEX has released its latest Economic Update on the performance of the European textile and apparel industry in 2025. For the third consecutive year, the sector recorded negative results across all key indicators — production, turnover and employment — confirming a continued erosion of competitiveness across Europe.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.