Circularity in the textile industry in India

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Overview


This project examines the possibility of transitioning India’s textile industry to an ethical, circular economy system, focusing on the Tiruppur Knitwear Cluster in Tamil Nadu, India. Approximately 16,700 apparel and allied manufacturing enterprises operate in the TKC, directly employing over half a million people and indirectly serving an additional million. However, growing competition from other low-cost producers in Asia has led to declining export shares, deteriorating labor conditions and an uptick in ecologically damaging practices, which result in factory closures and significant job losses.

This project seeks to leverage this crisis as an opportunity for positive transformation. It will focus on co-producing and disseminating insights into existing value chains’ environmental, economic and social impacts, while collaborating with stakeholders to design ethical circular economy business models and transition pathways. Beyond directly benefiting local enterprises and workers, the project will also raise awareness of sustainable practices and encourage widespread adoption of circular economy models across other apparel clusters. A graduate-level course and two stakeholder workshops will be organized to encourage participants and foster knowledge exchange around best practices for advancing a sustainable and ethical textile industry.

Outcomes


During the first year, the project teams at ASU and in India collaborated to conduct a literature review of global advancements in textile sustainability and to assess the current landscape of the textile industry in Tiruppur to identify key sustainability challenges. The team also engaged in field research by mapping stakeholders and conducting 50-75 interviews across the textile value chain. The results were incorporated into workshop and seminar content aimed at advancing sustainability and circularity in the Indian textile industry.

Project partners


●  Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, India

Circularity in the Textile Industry in India

The Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service is home to a number of projects that address the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Familiarize yourself with our ongoing work by taking a look at our full projects list.