Jaipur: The process of making a T-shirt and jeans trouser consumes 20,000 litres of water. An individual’s drinking water needs for two and half years are equal to the quantity used for manufacturing a cotton shirt. That’s why the textile sector accounts for 20% of industrial wastewater pollution, making it the second-most polluting industry.
But the industry now realises that the time is fast running out. They have to make their operations sustainable. The Europe has started erecting non-tariff barriers for products and services that do not meet sustainable standards. As the 2030-time frame for achieving United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals nears, sustainability has become the topmost priority across sectors, including textiles. India too has set green goals as a critical agenda for achieving Amrit Kaal.
Speaking at the India Textile and Apparel Fair organised by Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), SN Modani, chairman of Rajasthan Textile Mills Association, said, “Reusable, regenerable and recyclable clothing needs a mass response from the manufacturers. Fabrics made of plastic bottles are increasingly used to create stylish garments as demonstrated by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Consumers, too, are growing cautious of what they wear. Data shows that web searches for eco-friendly clothing have risen by more than 70% over five years. But technology is yet to mature for making affordable products.
“Though the modern, environmentally healthy alternatives may cost more as technology is still at the nascent stages, automation, and innovation in manufacturing, combined with guaranteed sales, are bound to offset these costs over time. The key stakeholders need to lead from the front,” said Modani.
Board member of International Textile Manufacturers Federation Uday Gill said that the industry needs to replace high cost of labour with technology so that the products are not only precise and of high quality, but it will lead to cost reduction and upset the high expense for making sustainable products.
He allayed the fear of job losses due to increased adoption of technology. “Technology brings in efficiency and grows the market which in turn creates demand for talent.” Added Gill. He said that every element in the value chain, from yarn to garmenting, has to be collaborative to drive synergy. “We have to move away from cost-model to value-model,” he added.
But the industry now realises that the time is fast running out. They have to make their operations sustainable. The Europe has started erecting non-tariff barriers for products and services that do not meet sustainable standards. As the 2030-time frame for achieving United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals nears, sustainability has become the topmost priority across sectors, including textiles. India too has set green goals as a critical agenda for achieving Amrit Kaal.
Speaking at the India Textile and Apparel Fair organised by Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), SN Modani, chairman of Rajasthan Textile Mills Association, said, “Reusable, regenerable and recyclable clothing needs a mass response from the manufacturers. Fabrics made of plastic bottles are increasingly used to create stylish garments as demonstrated by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Consumers, too, are growing cautious of what they wear. Data shows that web searches for eco-friendly clothing have risen by more than 70% over five years. But technology is yet to mature for making affordable products.
“Though the modern, environmentally healthy alternatives may cost more as technology is still at the nascent stages, automation, and innovation in manufacturing, combined with guaranteed sales, are bound to offset these costs over time. The key stakeholders need to lead from the front,” said Modani.
Board member of International Textile Manufacturers Federation Uday Gill said that the industry needs to replace high cost of labour with technology so that the products are not only precise and of high quality, but it will lead to cost reduction and upset the high expense for making sustainable products.
He allayed the fear of job losses due to increased adoption of technology. “Technology brings in efficiency and grows the market which in turn creates demand for talent.” Added Gill. He said that every element in the value chain, from yarn to garmenting, has to be collaborative to drive synergy. “We have to move away from cost-model to value-model,” he added.
