#Sustainability

2016-07-19

Inditex CEO Pablo Isla made up the balance of the Environmental Strategy Plan

During his presentation, Inditex's chairman emphasised the progress made over the past four years through the Group's 2011-2015 Environmental Strategy Plan.

Specifically, he highlighted the following milestones:

Traceability of the production supply chain and monitoring initiatives throughout the Group's supply chain, from raw material procurement to the end of the garments' useful life.
Significant growth in the use of more sustainable raw materials.
Pioneering the implementation of environmental sustainability procedures for wet processes (dyeing and washing).
Development of the eco-efficient store model, which has already been implemented in 3,700 Group stores.

Building on this progress, Mr Isla unveiled Inditex's new 2016-2020 Environmental Strategy Plan, which further builds on the circular economy model in all phases of the product cycle.

One of the initiatives outlined by Mr Isla includes the development of Inditex's collection, reuse and recycling programme for end-of-life garments. In September, Zara will implement a scheme for free at-home collection of used clothing when delivering online orders. This pilot test – which is being conducted in collaboration with the Spanish charity Cáritas and transportation firm Seur – will initially trial in Madrid with the aim of gradually introducing the scheme all over Spain.

In addition, Inditex will install between 1,500 and 2,000 garment collection containers in Spain's main cities, also in collaboration with Cáritas. The charity will sort the clothing to further the garment's life through its distribution channels or allow for recycling for the development of new textile raw materials. Inditex will donate €3.5 million over two years to this project, which will also encompass the modernisation of Cáritas's garment sorting and treatment plants. In parallel, Inditex will also place new containers throughout its stores, adding to the existing network, in order that all its bricks and mortar stores in Spain will have a container by September.

Research into and development of cutting-edge recycling technologies

In addition, as part of the Group's commitment to the circular economy model, it continues to work hard to support the development of textile recycling technology for the creation of new raw materials. As part of this, Inditex has signed an exclusive agreement with Lenzing, the Austrian producer of the plant-based sustainable textile fibre Lyocell TENCEL, for the manufacture of premium textile raw materials from textile waste generated by Inditex.

Throughout the project, Inditex will provide Lenzing with fabric for recycling into new materials. The pilot will start with a contribution of around 500 tonnes of textile waste, with the aim of raising this to around 3,000 tonnes within a few years. This is enough fabric to enable Lenzing to produce around 48 million garments.

Inditex is also championing research into technology for the creation of new textile fibres from recycled garments together with MIT and specific Spanish universities.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

Textile Exchange publishes cotton Life Cycle Assessment study to strengthen impact data

Textile Exchange has published the first in a series of seven Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies designed to improve the quality and robustness of environmental impact data for raw material production across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. The first LCA study focuses on cotton and addresses critical data gaps and methodology variability through new high-quality data across key producing countries. The study includes organic, regenerative, recycled, and country averages for conventional cotton production systems, providing a clearer picture of the associated environmental impact.

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.

Global growth in the technical textile sector drives interest in HIGHTEX 2026 to its peak

The continued steady growth of the technical textiles and nonwoven sector worldwide is increasing interest every year in the HIGHTEX Exhibition, one of the sector’s most important meeting points. In this strong growth climate, HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwoven Exhibition, which will bring together the sector’s leading manufacturers, technology providers, and international buyers, is preparing to open its doors at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center on June 9–13, 2026.

RUDOLF is pioneering the future of technical textiles by developing innovative, functional solutions

At Techtextil 2026, RUDOLF presents its latest innovations for textile auxiliaries, textile care and construction chemicals. Based in Geretsried, Bavaria, the company draws on more than 100 years of experience and continues to position itself as a global technology partner focused on quality, innovation and sustainability.