2024 Textile Reports Takeaways

‍Euratex, Facts, and Key Figures, 2024 Report ‍

The European Textile and Clothing Industry report highlights a transformative and challenging era driven by economic and environmental crises, alongside 16 new legislations poised to reshape the regulatory landscape. Despite these challenges, the sector is witnessing a surge in textile start-ups, the development of sustainable products, and the adoption of innovative technologies. According to Eurostat, the industry saw an estimated investment of €4.5 billion in 2023, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability as key drivers for future growth.

Rising Trends ‍

‍
The textile industry is experiencing a significant shift toward technical textiles, which are increasingly being utilized across diverse sectors such as healthcare, sportswear, and automotive. On the consumer front, clothing, and footwear continue to dominate online shopping trends in the EU, with approximately 4 out of 10 e-shoppers purchasing these items online in 2023. This dual focus on innovation in technical applications and the sustained popularity of fashion e-commerce underscores the dynamic evolution of the industry.

Sustainability and Innovation‍

‍
The EU27 has achieved a record number of industrial design applications within the TCLF (Textiles, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear) sector, with the top three patent fields being fabrics, technical textiles, and man-made fibers. This innovation drive is further supported by approximately €148 million in contributions to research and innovation focused on textile sustainability. On the consumer side, sustainability remains a key concern, with 71% of users expressing heightened awareness and expectations for environmentally responsible practices. This alignment of industrial innovation and consumer demand highlights the growing emphasis on sustainability as a cornerstone of the sector's future.

Global Fashion Agenda, The GFA Monitor, 2024 Update‍

The most striking aspect of the report is that each theme has been developed in collaboration with a relevant initiative, and it places significant emphasis on often overlooked issues such as social rights and fair wages.

Material Insights

The report states that companies are increasingly committing to sustainability goals, with many brands aligning their strategies with the United Nations’ 2030 targets. Despite this progress, virgin synthetic fiber production has risen, while the share of recycled fibers has declined, highlighting a gap between ambitions and actionable progress in reducing the industry's environmental footprint.

‍Circular Targets

This year’s survey results reveal significant progress in circular system targets, with the most notable increase seen in textile-to-textile recycling of post-industrial and post-use waste. The proportion of respondents targeting this goal rose from 59% to 71% by 2030. Additionally, the second-hand apparel market is experiencing rapid growth, projected to reach USD 350 billion by 2028, outpacing the global apparel market by three times. In 2023, resale grew 15 times faster than the broader retail clothing sector, underscoring the accelerating shift toward circular and sustainable fashion practices. The report underlines that to drive circularity in the fashion industry, it is crucial to tackle overproduction, enhance recycling infrastructure, and ensure a fair and inclusive transition for workers.

Despite positive developments in various areas of production and consumption, there are still significant challenges to overcome, particularly in strengthening circular methods. The effective use of sustainable and digital innovations, along with their holistic integration into the industry through systemic changes, can make a positive contribution to efforts in this field. This approach can help the industry become a regenerative and transformative force.

‍