“The textiles and apparel industry has a high environmental footprint, and the current production and distribution system is almost completely linear. Fast fashion – characterized by short clothing lifespans and huge volumes – has become the norm over the last couple of decades. 

And the situation is not expected to get much better: textile production and consumption are expected to triple by 2050. The need for change is acute and increasingly acknowledged by both consumers and regulators. The circular economy can open up entirely new opportunities in the textiles sector, ranging from designing and producing long-lasting, repairable clothes to new service models such as clothing rental. 

Value chains in the textiles sector are notably international. The EU and other developed countries are major consumers and importers, while a significant part of the large-scale production takes place in developing countries.

Read more about the subject in Sitra’ s report: https://www.sitra.fi/en/publications/circular-innovation-and-ecodesign-in-the-textiles-sector/#foreword