#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

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.

FITA, ABIT and EURATEX underline strategic importance of Mercosur – EU Partnership Agreement for the textile and apparel industry

The Argentine Textile Industry Federation (FITA), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) continue to monitor the process of internalizing the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement. This agreement is essential for the competitiveness of our industries, on both sides of the Atlantic.

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

Europe’s textile future at a turning point: New 2030 Circularity Blueprint aims to scale recycling and unlock investment opportunities

The EU textile system is at a critical crossroads. Today, less than 1% of discarded garments are recycled into new garments, despite EU-wide obligations for separate collection. In response, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is launching the 2030 Circularity Blueprint, in partnership with ReHubs. This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy.

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.