This thesis researches the adoption of CE within the textile industry, focusing on the economic effects, challenges, and sustainability aspects required for the transition from a linear to a circular model. In a world where the textile industry’s significant environmental, economic, and social effects cannot be denied, this study underlines the urgent need for sustainable practices in an industry that is the world’s second-largest polluter. The textile industry also creates negative societal impacts by overusing oil, carbon, and water resources. In addition, all production processes in this industry are highly water intensive, using an average of 93 billion cubic meters of water annually, representing 4% of the global freshwater supply (Kazancoglu, Ipek, et al. 2020). Production has gradually moved to southern countries, mainly in Asia. In 2019, over €80 billion of products were imported into the EU, mainly from China, Bangladesh, and Turkey. The fashion industry is estimated to account for up to 10% of global CO2 emissions. Furthermore, this fast fashion mentality has led to the perception of clothes as disposable products, reducing the garment’s lifespan. It is estimated that the amount of clothing purchased in the EU has increased by 40% over the last decade, with Europeans consuming an average of 26 kg of textiles and discarding 11 kg of textiles per person per year (Riemens, Joséphine et al. 2021). My motivation for choosing this topic lies in my twenty-year assignment in the textile industry, where I have directly observed these mentioned damaging environmental impacts and unfavorable working conditions sustained by traditional production processes. The sector’s dependence on large, complex global supply chains has supported a linear economic model that prioritizes fast production and cost efficiency at the expense of sustainability. Besides this, the increasing volume of waste from overproduction and overconsumption, mainly triggered by big global brands, has underlined critical emerging environmental threats. To minimize these impacts, a transition to a circular model is not optional but mandatory. A quantitative methodology was used through an online survey to collect data from 117 white-collar professionals in the textile industry. This survey provided critical information on current CE-related practices and perceptions, revealing progress and barriers in integrating these practices into existing business models. The results were analyzed using IBM SPSS with a focus on descriptive analyses. In addition, sub-questions were formulated using the survey results to examine the research questions better, and cross-tabulation analyses were used to interpret them. In order to compare the literature and survey results with the opinions of an expert from the industry, an interview with a “TX Recycling Expert from the Lenzing Group” was also performed. This research examines the challenges of transitioning from linear to circular models, the economic impacts of CE practices in the textile industry and how they affect financial performance, consumer attitudes toward sustainable fashion, their impact on decisions, and willingness to pay higher prices for sustainable products, and whether recycling offers a feasible solution to the problem of textile waste and environmental pollution. By analyzing these factors, the thesis aims to understand better the challenges and possibilities related to implementing sustainable practices in the textile business. It also intends to inspire a discussion among stakeholders on the steps that need to be taken to move the textile sector toward a more sustainable and economically feasible future.purchasing
Textile industry: Circular economy business models in operations and their future orientation towards sustainable approaches for the environment, economy, and social issues
Erbilen, Ö. (Autor). 2024
Studienabschlussarbeit: Masterarbeit