#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

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.

Results of the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

Closing the Footwear Loop reveals challenges and opportunities for circular footwear

The footwear industry faces one of the most complex circularity challenges in the fashion sector. A new Phase 1 report from the Fashion for Good initiative Closing the Footwear Loop, developed together with Circle Economy, provides new insights into the composition, condition and recycling potential of post-consumer footwear waste.

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

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.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.