Textile Suppliers May Consolidate to Achieve Sustainability Goals

As the textile industry moves toward greater sustainability over the next two years, a consolidation of suppliers and long-term contracts will increasingly become the norm, according to a new market report by consulting firm cKinetics. In addition, a unification of reporting and tracking systems across the supply chain is expected to increase transparency and lower the reporting costs for manufacturers.

For textile manufacturers, this presents an opportunity to differentiate themselves, as well as generate operational savings. The “March to Sustainability 2011” report delves into actions that global textile and apparel majors are taking in response to increasing regulation and growing consumer preferences for sustainable products.

Two other key drivers for sustainability in the industry are brand reputation and risk management, and increasing resource scarcity in the regions of production.

Despite these factors, the global textile and apparel industry is predicted to grow to US$800 billion by 2015 as compared to roughly $700 billion today.

But the sector desperately needs to address its oversized environmental footprint. It is the single largest contributor to industrial waste water and the largest user of pesticides. It also uses large volumes of water and consumes copious amounts of energy in production and dyeing.

The report highlights the sustainability plans of global firms including adidas, Nike, C&A, Gap Inc., H&M, Inditex, John Lewis, Levi Strauss, New Balance, Otto, Patagonia, Phillips-Van Heusen, Puma, VF Corp, Timberland, Carrefour, IKEA, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Wal-Mart and Continental Clothing.