#EU Textile Strategy

2024-06-13

Textile ETP at the European Commission's event on the Textiles Ecosystem Transition Pathway

On 4 June 2024, the Textile ETP Secretary General Lutz Walter participated in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs (DG GROW) stakeholder event for the Textiles Ecosystem Transition Pathway.

The event updated participants on essential regulatory initiatives under the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the EU Pact for Skills, and the implementation of the Transition Pathway for the Textiles Ecosystem. Discussions also covered the European Partnership on Textiles under Horizon Europe, emphasizing the need for industry resilience and competitiveness.

ETP Secretary General Lutz Walter introduced the Textiles of the Future Partnership under Horizon Europe, highlighting its strategic importance for more research and innovation in the sector. This initiative aims to support the textile industry's green and digital transformation while reinforcing Europe's leadership in textile research, technology development, and higher education.

Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of EURATEX, praised DG GROW’s efforts: "it was great to see so many stakeholders committed to implementing the Textiles Transition Pathway. EURATEX will continue its focus on ensuring quality legislation and helping our companies prepare for that transition."

This event also highlights the collaborative effort within the European textile sector to achieve sustainable growth and technological advancement. With the support from initiatives such as the Transition Pathway and Horizon Europe, stakeholders are working together to build a robust and ready for the future textile industry in Europe.

Published in June 2023, the Textiles Ecosystem Transition Pathway outlines 50 actions critical for the EU textiles ecosystem's green and digital transition, enhancing its resilience and competitiveness. For more information about the Transition Pathway for the Textiles Ecosystem, please visit here:

https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/6392f189-0416-11ee-87ec-01aa75ed71a1

From local actions to industrial innovations: SOLSTICE shares mid-project results

Since its launch in May 2024, the SOLSTICE project is accelerating the transition from linear models to circular regional ecosystems in the textile industry, focusing on four key territories: Grenoble-Alpes Métropole (France), Berlin (Germany), Prato (Italy), and Catalonia (Spain). By mid-project, SOLSTICE has already revealed both regional disparities and promising solutions to strengthen textile repair, reuse, and recycling infrastructure.

Textile ETP wraps up T-REX's Policy Roundtable

The T-REX project’s policy roundtable in Brussels on November 12 was a pivotal gathering of experts and leaders committed to advancing Europe’s sustainability efforts. Concluding the event, Secretary General Lutz Walter reflected on the discussions and emphasized the core themes that resonated throughout the day.

Textile Exchange Conference 2025 kicks off next week in Lisbon

From October 13 to 17, 2025, the Textile Exchange Conference will take place at the Lisbon Congress Centre, bringing together brands, supply-chain partners, innovators, farmers, NGOs, academics, and more for a week of collaborative learning and exchange. Under the theme “Shifting Landscapes”, this year’s agenda highlights the urgent need for the textile industry to adapt rapidly to changing environmental, political, and economic conditions, while linking adaptation to broader systems transformation.

Germany pushes ahead with Producer Responsibility for Textiles

Germany is taking a leading role in shaping extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles – a regulatory concept that is gaining traction across the European Union. EPR requires companies that manufacture or sell products such as clothing, home textiles, and shoes to take financial and operational responsibility for the end-of-life management of these goods.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

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.