The demands on textile suppliers are increasing when it comes to ecological requirements – just think of the EU’s Green Deal and associated regulations such as Ecodesign (ESPR), the Green Claims Directive (GCD) and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). For Turkey, as the fifth largest textile supplier in the world, the EU is an important purchase market. For the EU, Turkey is an attractive manufacturing country thanks to its geographical proximity, an experienced workforce, competitive prices and a long textile tradition. The willingness to follow and implement the above regulations also has a positive effect.
The Istanbul Apparel Exporters Association (İHKİB) has therefore launched the 12-month industry project “Twin Transition in the Apparel Supply Chain” to help apparel suppliers meet global brands’ requirements for low-carbon production, digital reporting and traceability. It is financially supported by the Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA).
Low-carbon production, digital reporting and traceability
The twin aspect refers to the areas of green transformation and digitalization. The initiative builds on İHKİB’s industry-wide networking expertise and operational infrastructure. This also includes the Digital Transformation Center (DDM), which is to be expanded. The project aims to provide manufacturers with a structured transformation roadmap and help them build skills in both areas. This means they can better adapt to the expectations of the export market and increase their competitiveness and productivity.
“The Turkish garment sector has long been a strategic pillar of our export economy. With this project, we aim to strengthen the industry’s existing advantages by accelerating green and digital transformation and creating a sustainable, long-term skills base for our supply chain,” İHKİB Vice President Mustafa Paşahan commented in a statement on Wednesday.
Accelerate green and digital transformation
Planned activities include digital and sustainable transformation assessments to measure operational and sustainable maturity, as well as roadmaps, mentoring and advice on modernizing delivery operations, online seminars focused on transformation, including financing options, and advice for companies seeking to take advantage of EU and national funding programs to accelerate their transformation investments.
In addition, a “Twin Transition Council” with national and international actors is intended to support alignment with market expectations and contribute to more comprehensive transformation approaches at the industry level.
The project is carried out by İHKİB in partnership with the Turkish Export Association (TİM) and includes the participation of over 20 companies as well as the involvement of institutions and global brand representatives. The planned roadmap is divided into ten core activities and is intended to culminate in an international conference entitled: “Türkiye in the Twin Transition of the Apparel Supply”.