#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2023-10-05

Inditex and the International Apparel Federation sign a framework agreement to drive transformation in the apparel and textile industry

The agreement aims to promote a more respectful industry for people and planet by boosting circularity, traceability and worker wellbeing.

Inditex and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) -the membership organisation that, through their associations, represents 100,000 manufacturers from more than 40 countries- has signed today a framework agreement to drive significant transformation in the global garment industry through clear objectives and concrete lines of action to support the adoption of more sustainable practices and technologies.

This agreement paves the way for the development of projects that seek to improve working conditions, protect the environment, move towards circularity and promote transparency and traceability in the supply chain.

"Collaborating with apparel federations is key to driving a change that reaches the entire apparel and textile industry, addressing both the social and environmental challenges ahead. This agreement will allow us to continue developing and integrating best practices, foster innovation and invest in the most efficient technologies as this contributes to raising standards and competitiveness of the industry as a whole" said Inditex’s CEO, Óscar García Maceiras.

“We are thrilled that Inditex shares our vision of joining forces across the supply chain to advance sustainable transformational change in the apparel industry. Linking the forces of Inditex with the global apparel manufacturing community will allow us to focus on real change on the ground, beneficial to all parties involved and with positive effects for the existing global industry initiatives in which Inditex and IAF participate” said IAF’s President Cem Altan.

IAF and Inditex have identified key areas of focus within this agreement. These include the advancement of industrial development in producing countries and the transition towards an industry that converts waste into new raw materials while striving for net zero emissions, promoting the adoption of renewable energy and processes with lower impact on ecosystems. Furthermore, the agreement places a strong emphasis on enhancing working conditions. It involves collaborative actions on matters such as occupational health and safety, social protection, and diversity and inclusion.

It also includes cross-cutting aspects such as the creation of a common framework to measure and verify the impacts of the textile industry and encourage resilience and the adoption of transparency-enhancing practices, such as digital labelling. Moreover, it explores the interoperability of information systems and promotes the digitalization and efficiency improvement of global supply chains, among other issues.

Inditex will fund the university education of 50 female textile industry workers in Bangladesh for five years

Inditex and the Asian University for Women have launched a new scholarship program to support the academic training of female textile factory workers in Bangladesh. Inditex will allocate €3.75 million to fund this initiative, enabling 50 women to access pre-university and university education over the next five years, providing them with new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Inditex reports strong Q1 2024 performance

Inditex's sales grew by 7.1% in Q1 2024, reaching €8.2 billion. Sales in constant currency rose by 10.6%. Gross profit increased by 7.3% to €4.9 billion, with a gross margin of 60.6%. Operating expenses increased by 6.4%, below the sales growth rate. EBITDA rose by 8% to €2.4 billion, while EBIT grew by 10.3% to €1.6 billion. Net income saw a 10.8% increase, reaching €1.3 billion.

PERFORMANCE DAYS: Focus topic shifts to the beginning of the value chain

Following the last Focus Topic in October 2025, which placed Textile-to-Textile Recycling at its core, PERFORMANCE DAYS continues to drive the conversation around circularity – this time with an expanded and more upstream perspective. The upcoming Focus Topic, “Textile to Textile: The Role of Collectors and Sorters,” presented during the spring edition on March 18–19, will spotlight one of the most essential yet often overlooked components of a functioning circular textile system: the efficient collection and sorting of post-consumer textiles.

ROICA: Where distinction and intention shape the future of apparel industry at Milano Unica

At Milano Unica, held at Fiera Milano (Rho) in Milan from January 20–22, nine select European partners unveil collections shaped by ROICA™—the premium stretch fiber by Asahi Kasei. ROICA™ does not stand alone on the show floor, but its presence is quietly interlaced into each creation, chosen by those who seek distinction and depth in modern textiles. Through these dedicated collaborations, ROICA™ continues to sup-port the apparel industry with advanced stretch, comfort, and environmental care, offering something unique for brands who value true craftsmanship and thoughtful innovation.

How Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris 2026 reflects shifts in global textile and apparel sourcing

From 2 to 4 February 2026, the 58th edition of the show will bring together more than 1,100 exhibitors from 33 countries at Paris–Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. As a true sourcing platform, the event stands out for its diversity, clear structure and operational efficiency, giving international buyers direct access to an offer tailored to their needs.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

European business associations celebrate the signature of the EU-Mercosur FTA

The 17th January marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster.