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Need for Textile Sector Transition Towards A shift to a circular economy (CE) is gaining traction
Circular Economy and momentum to preserve natural resources and
keep products within the value chain cycle.
Environmental and social awareness has made
In contrast to the linear economy, a circular economy
sustainable manufacturing a primary focus for all
designs durable, reusable, and repairable products
countries worldwide.
utilizing resources that can be recovered and recycled
at the End of Life (EOL). Therefore, Governmental
Over the past years, the spotlight has increasingly
and Corporate groups at the national and global
turned-on environmental impact of rapidly increasing
levels are demanding increasing circularity to address
production volumes and shorter product shelf life. In
climate change, save finite natural resources, minimize
the past 15 years, apparel production has doubled
pollution, and prevent supply chain disruptions.
while the number of times garments are worn before
(e.g., Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017; European
being discarded has reduced by 36%. The rapid
Commission, 2018, 2022; United Nations, 2022). 9
growth in textiles has largely been accounted to be
synthetic fibres (mainly produced from crude oil),
With the most significant fashion businesses in the
which, over the last 20 years, have grown from less
world progressively pledging to achieve Net Zero
than 20% of global fibre production to 62% of global
standards, there is a rising trend for sustainability in
fibre production in 2018[ Preferred Fiber and Materials
the global fashion industry.
Market Report 2018, Textile Exchange]. With less than
1% of the fibres used for producing recycled clothing,
Such positive international developments will
the textile industry uses large amounts of resources,
significantly influence the Indian textile sector, given
8
negatively impacting the environment.
its crucial role in the global Textile & Apparel value
chains.
A linear approach increases resource demand,
consumption and waste, which must be disposed of
Hence, coordinated actions in all regions by all
in an environmentally acceptable manner, creating an
stakeholders (Government, industry, and consumers)
inefficient linear economy.
and changes at each stage in the value chain involving
players of all sizes and market segments are required

Figure 3: A typical linear apparel life cycle chain

Source: Cradle to Cradle Approach in the Fashion Industry, www.onlineclothingstudy.com

6 A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future, Ellen McArthur Foundation 2017
7 Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report 2018, Textile Exchange
8 A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future, Ellen McArthur Foundation 2017
9 Textiles in a circular economy: An assessment of the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities in the
United States 2022, Kelsea A. Schumacher * and Amanda L. Forster

22 Baseline Assessment Report Baseline Assessment Report 23