Amidst a global shift towards sustainability in sourcing, India has emerged as a powerhouse in eco-friendly textile production, aided by supportive government policies and initiatives
Driven by the imperatives of meeting internal goals and external expectations, sustainability is taking centre stage in corporate sourcing decisions. In the 2023 Deloitte Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey, 72 percent of CPOs prioritised ESG and CSR goals.
With its rich apparel production heritage, India has emerged as a key destination for sustainable sourcing, in sync with evolving global consumer preferences. India's commitment to sustainability, strengthened by national policies and government initiatives, has led to the transformation of the textile sector on a 5F path: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
The Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) and Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) have propelled the industry's growth, leading to direct and indirect employment for over 100,000 people.
Garment manufacturing is India's second-largest industry, employing millions. The government's Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector, known as Samarth, addresses the skill gap in the industry, training over 150,000 beneficiaries and focusing on empowering women. Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, India has made significant strides in poverty reduction, with 415 million individuals exiting poverty in the last 15 years.
India's Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) launched the Apparel Industry Sustainability Action (AISA) to boost sustainable practices among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. As brands set ambitious goals for sustainable material sourcing, India, the second-largest producer and consumer of cotton globally, is well-positioned to support the industry's eco-friendly initiatives.
India's focus on organic cotton production, which accounts for roughly half of the global output, aligns with the growing demand for sustainable textiles. The nation's leadership in silk, jute, and chemical fibres, coupled with the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, positions it as a competitive force in the textile sector.
Eco-friendly practices extend to garment production, with manufacturers adopting sustainable dyes and chemicals and certified processes for Zero Liquid Discharge to minimise water consumption.
In a significant technological leap, India has invested in traceability with the Bale Identification and Traceability System (BITS), utilising blockchain and QR codes to trace cotton from its origin. As a testament to India's commitment to sustainable practices, the upcoming global textile expo, Bharat Tex, organised by 11 export promotion councils and supported by the Ministry of Textiles, will showcase the nation as a hub for eco-friendly production.
With over 3,500 exhibitors, 40,000 domestic buyers, and 3,000 international buyers, the expo, taking place from Feb. 26–29 in New Delhi, will highlight India's innovative sustainability practices in the textile industry.