Textiles industry launches initiative to drive green transformation

Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative will share lessons and progress between countries

The textile sector has launched an initiative to coordinate companies’ environmental efforts through the creation of “country chapters”.

The International Apparel Federation and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) are behind the new project, known as the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI). 

National trade bodies from China, India, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Egypt and Chile will lead the development of transformation plans, based on an overarching framework, with a focus on greenhouse gas emissions, water, chemicals and waste. 

ATTI’s global council will provide guidance.   

“This initiative supports real transformation at the national level across all tiers, while ensuring lessons and innovations are shared globally,” said Christian Schindler, director general of ITMF.  

The rollout will be in three phases: assessment, development of solutions and then implementation.  

Pilot assessments have already begun in Bangladesh and Türkiye, led by local industry bodies. 

This week has also seen clothing companies Gap, Target and Houdini Sportswear form a strategic partnership with circular textiles companies Syre. 

The firm is setting up its first plant in North Carolina, which will recycle polyester. Syre claims it could cut emissions by up to 85% compared with oil-based virgin polyester production. 

Earlier this week, Social LobbyMap wrote about the apparel sector’s seeming lack of policy engagement on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D).

In the years preceding the law’s adoption in April 2024, there were only 16 public contributions to consultations, according to LobbyMap’s analysis.   

Five of those (four companies and one trade association) came from Germany. 

One of the report’s authors, Elissandra da Costa, told Real Economy Progress it was “very surprising” to see so few official statements, given how important CS3D would be for the sector.   

She suggested that companies may have “relied more on round tables with certain legislators” than public statements.