Textile industry
WHY TEXTILE INDUSTRY?
State of art
The textile industry represents one of the largest sectors globally and is expected to reach a turnover of $2.25 trillionby 2025. Global textile consumption is estimated to increase by more than 50% by 2030, thanks to a steady increase in the supply of textile products, which has lowered average prices, encouraging consumption. Nearly 10 million people worldwide are employed in the industry, making it the sixth largest source of employment in the world. One turning point in particular occurred in 2005, when the World Trade Organization removed all quantitative restrictions on textile imports. Producers then outsourced and expanded production, encouraging overconsumption. Falling costs and prices fueled the development of the so-called fast fashion business model.
While this process triggered the democratization of fashion, the increasing scale of production has had a significant environmental impact.
Indeed, the textile industry requires large quantities of raw materials and generates considerable waste. About 92 million tons of textile waste are produced globally, much of which comprises unsold products that end up in landfills or incinerators. However, sustainability and environmental protection paradigms have taken hold in every sector.
On the demand side of the market, growing social concerns about product sustainability have emerged. Analysis of data reporting on developed countries show that a positive perception of brand sustainability influences consumers' willingness to pay. The emphasis on sustainability has become a source of competitive advantage in the textile industry; eco-friendliness is critical to brand image. To meet growing consumer awareness, sustainable production models have been introduced in the textile industry, gaining a degree of popularity. Large manufacturers such as H&M and Zara may therefore find it optimal to adopt a greenwashing strategy.
Sustainability and environmental impact, today , are closely linked to digitization, which in manufacturing contributes positively to sustainability by increasing efficiency in the use of resources and information.
Digitization in textile industry offers an excellent opportunity to improve efficiency and sustainability in waste management. Through the implementation of digital technologies, the production process can be optimized, minimizing waste of resources and information. This approach not only positively impacts the environment, but also has significant economic and social benefits. However, it is crucial to address the potential increase in energy consumption and waste generation associated with digital hardware. Nevertheless, the adoption of digital technologies in the textile sector not only optimizes production, but also transforms the entire process into a more efficient and automated one by stimulating productivity, revenues, investment, and employment.
Another important aspect of the transition to a circular economy fostered by digitization concerns employment opportunities in the textile waste sector. Empirical studies estimate that digitization destroys 0.03% of low-skilled jobs while creating 0.05 % of additional high-skilled jobs. For example, increasing recycling collection, in line with targets set for 2030, could generate thousands of jobs by offering a new perspective for young people. The overall effect of digitization on employment is therefore positive.
This evidence stimulates some considerations on the Italian case, with particular regard to Southern Italy, where large migration flows are observed for young graduates. Although the country's other macro-areas are also characterized by significant outflows of highly skilled workers, heading abroad, internal migration flows more than compensate for this problem. The South is the only macroarea in the country where the net flow of young graduates is negative: -33.9 per 1,000 graduates in 2019. Digitization, from this perspective, can make a significant social impact by providing attractive jobs for highly skilled workers who may decide to stay.
Circular technical commitees
Today more than ever, sustainability should be considered an opportunity for local growth. However, in many cases sustainability is not measured, it is not possible to measure it. It remains a concept rather than a fact, and in some cases just a marketing strategy (greenwashing phenomenon). The starting point for defining the path towards circularity is its measurement. In that context, the European Commission plans to introduce a “digital product passport” which will contain information on the composition of products on the European market to help increase reuse and recycling possibilities. The importance of the theme of the measurability of sustainability is demonstrated by the birth in recent years of worldwide standardization committees.
“Circular” technical committes in Italy and world
The circular economy and sustainability have gained attention from the textile industry with the aim of recycling
waste and residues by creating new value
GENIUS Project
