#Sustainability

2025-04-10

Inditex will fund the university education of 50 female textile industry workers in Bangladesh for five years

Inditex and the Asian University for Women have launched a new scholarship program to support the academic training of female textile factory workers in Bangladesh. Inditex will allocate €3.75 million to fund this initiative, enabling 50 women to access pre-university and university education over the next five years, providing them with new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The beneficiaries of this new Inditex scholarship program, aimed at promoting professional development at the Asian University for Women, will be selected from the workers of Inditex’s partner suppliers in the country © 2025 Inditex

Access to higher education for women remains a critical issue in Bangladesh, where female university enrollment is increasing at a slower rate than that of men. In this context, AUW is dedicated to empowering women from all backgrounds, equipping them with the skills to become more qualified professionals, leaders in their communities and workplaces, and advocates for economic and cultural development.

"At Inditex, we believe that empowering women through education is one of the most effective ways to drive lasting and meaningful change in these communities. Through this scholarship program, we are investing in the future of female workers—the backbone of our supply chain—by providing them with the tools to unlock new opportunities and foster progress within their communities," said Inditex CEO Óscar García Maceiras.

"At a time when uncertainty in global affairs has reached a new height, the partnership between Inditex and the Asian University for Women reminds us of what really matters --- the weakest in our society must get the opportunities to rise above the circumstances that circumscribe the possibilities in their life. As the first one in my family to enter university, I know how powerful higher education can be in opening doors that otherwise remain unimaginable. I commend Inditex for this far-reaching commitment that will help deepen AUW’s ability to identify talent where few others see them and nurture them so that they too can contribute in the making of a better future for themselves and the world”, Cherie Blair, Chancellor of the Asian University for Women.

Set to launch in the upcoming academic year, this initiative will enable 50 female textile workers in Bangladesh to cover their tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for five years. The selection process will begin in the coming weeks and will take place at Inditex's supply chain factories in the country. As part of the process, AUW will conduct informational sessions, selection interviews, and admission tests at participating factories for all interested workers.

Inditex reports strong Q1 2024 performance

Inditex's sales grew by 7.1% in Q1 2024, reaching €8.2 billion. Sales in constant currency rose by 10.6%. Gross profit increased by 7.3% to €4.9 billion, with a gross margin of 60.6%. Operating expenses increased by 6.4%, below the sales growth rate. EBITDA rose by 8% to €2.4 billion, while EBIT grew by 10.3% to €1.6 billion. Net income saw a 10.8% increase, reaching €1.3 billion.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

OEKO-TEX® chooses TextileGenesis to advance digital traceability for organic cotton

OEKO-TEX® today announced a full collaboration with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to digitally trace and authenticate organic cotton, strengthening fraud prevention across the supply chain. This announcement follows a successful pilot and brings together OEKO-TEX®’s certification expertise and closed testing system with TextileGenesis’ digital traceability platform to deliver a secure, end-to-end solution for managing certified organic cotton flows.

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

ENDURANCE Program: Driving operational sustainability at Magnera

As Magnera enters a new year, the company is reflecting on a key sustainability milestone from 2025: the launch of ENDURANCE, its global, employee-led initiative focused on waste reduction and sustainable innovation. Launched on Earth Day 2025, this initiative has generated more than 250 improvement submissions from team members across Magnera’s global operations, demonstrating strong engagement and shared accountability for sustainability across the organization.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.