In collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) launched the first of its kind - circularity guidelines for Indian textile and apparel (T&A) industry at the Sankalp Bharat Summit 2024, Varanasi.
Titled, ‘Stitching the Circle: A Roadmap for Circular Textiles & Apparel in India,’ these guidelines are designed to assist textile businesses in transitioning from a linear to a circular economy model. They encapsulate the initiatives undertaken during ABFRL and GIZ's collaborative journey to advance sustainability, reduce waste, and foster resource efficiency in the textile value chain.
Over the past three years, the partnership between ABFRL and GIZ has spearheaded a series of impactful initiatives aimed at transforming India's textile sector. These initiatives included a comprehensive baseline survey to assess the current state of circularity, the Circularity Innovation Challenge 2023 to foster sustainable solutions, and the nationwide training program, ‘Decoding Circularity Together’ to empower stake holders across the textile value chain.
ABFRL and GIZ also conducted pilot projects to integrate circular solutions into textile supply chain, documented through a compelling narrative to raise awareness and inspire action.
Ashish Dikshit, Managing Director, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, states, a defining moment for the company, a launch of these circularity guidelines reflects its unyielding commitment to collaborate with the fashion industry towards sustainability and to champion the development of a circular textile ecosystem.
Building on this, Dr Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, adds, ABFRL and GIZ have collaborated to create circular guidelines and other initiatives for the industry players to enable them to work in a holistic manner, benefiting both the environment and society.
The newly launched guidelines present actionable strategies for transitioning from a linear to a circular economy model. It includes the 6R Approach (Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, Remanufacture, Recycle, Regenerate), providing a framework forthe textile industry to reduce waste and enhance resource efficiency, circularity. The manifesto also sets Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure circularity in organisation and encouraging alignment with global sustainability certifications.
Through case studies and best practices, the guidelines serve as a practical guide for Indian businesses aiming to integrate circularity into every stage of production—fromsourcing sustainable materials to engaging consumers in circular practices. The document aims to inspire the entire value chain, from manufacturers to policy makers, to collectively build a sustainable textile ecosystem in India.
