The textile and apparel industry is a significant contributor to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 2% of the total emissions (Sadowski et al. 2021). This statistic places the industry at the forefront of conversations about climate change and environmental sustainability. As global demand for textile products escalates due to a growing population, there is an urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate the environmental and climate impacts that accompany this growth. The industry is evolving, with production increasingly shifting to low- and middle-income countries, where lower labor and resource costs can be leveraged. This shift, while economically advantageous, highlights the critical need for cleaner and more efficient manufacturing processes. For a deeper analysis of these issues, the white paper can be downloaded here.
As climate change effects intensify, it is imperative for the textile industry to take serious actions to reduce its environmental impact. A significant aspect of this effort lies in addressing the industry’s thermal energy needs, which are essential for processes such as steam generation and hot water use. Heating accounts for over two-thirds of the total energy demand in the industrial sector globally, including textiles. Traditionally, these heating processes have relied on fossil fuels, which not only contribute significantly to CO2 emissions but also suffer from inefficiencies due to considerable energy loss during steam generation and distribution.
To combat these challenges, electrification and the utilization of lower-carbon energy sources present promising pathways to decarbonization. By replacing carbon-intensive fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives, the textile industry can significantly reduce its carbon footprint. However, transitioning to these new energy sources involves numerous challenges. It requires a clear understanding of the industry’s thermal energy consumption profiles, detailed feasibility analyses of alternative energy solutions, and comprehensive action plans to facilitate the shift.
Research indicates that processes such as fabric preparation (including de-sizing and bleaching), dyeing and printing, and finishing collectively consume around 50% of the thermal energy in a typical composite textile plant. Moreover, a substantial portion of thermal energy—approximately 35%—is lost during steam generation and distribution. The adoption of lower-carbon energy sources and high-efficiency technologies to electrify heating processes has considerable potential to reduce fossil fuel use and GHG emissions in the textile sector.
Unfortunately, many of the world’s leading textile-producing nations, such as China, India, and Vietnam, heavily depend on fossil fuels—particularly coal and petroleum products—to meet their heating requirements. Coal, being a highly carbon-intensive fuel, contributes significantly to GHG emissions and is associated with harmful onsite air pollution and other environmental problems. Other major textile producers, including Turkey, Taiwan, and Indonesia, also rely extensively on coal, further complicating global efforts to decarbonize the industry.
In conclusion, the textile and apparel industry stands at a pivotal moment as it confronts the dual challenges of meeting growing consumer demand while addressing its environmental responsibilities. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving manufacturing efficiency, and adopting innovative technologies must become key priorities for industry stakeholders. By implementing these strategies, the textile sector has the potential to make meaningful contributions to global climate change mitigation efforts, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
