Workshop advances textile circular economy and legislative reforms

Workshop advances textile circular economy and legislative reforms

Textile and apparel enterprises from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia converged in Casablanca for a workshop on textile circularity. They looked at upcoming legislative reforms in the global textile and apparel trade, as they work towards fostering sustainable business opportunities. The workshop, organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) under its GTEX/MENATEX programme, brought together experts, academics, and others in the industry to deliberate on crucial sustainability and circularity issues. The event featured distinguished speakers, including: Matthias Knappe, Head of ITC's Fibres, Textiles, and Clothing Unit; Rudrajeet Pal from the University of Boras/Swedish School of Textile; Daniela Zimmermann from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences; and Tobias Meier from Sustainable Textiles Switzerland 2030. Matthias Knappe emphasized how academia can support export-oriented businesses. ‘As part of the institutional framework fostering job creation through exports, academic institutions play a crucial role in actively contributing to the dual transition,’ he said. ‘Mapping the skills required for a greener and more circular textile and apparel sector is essential.’ Participants explored international regulations, current research and development scenarios, and the technical intricacies of textile circularity. The workshop aimed to raise awareness among academic institutions regarding their role in the textile and apparel ecosystem. The