7. FOUR TRENDS THAT IMPACT ON SUSTAINABLE FASHION: GEOGRAPHICAL CHANGES, DIGITALIZATION, INTELLIGENT CONSUMPTION AND NEW MATERIALS

30 September 2020

“Supplier of Sustainable Technologies”: ASSOMAC study on Sustainability.

 

 

Thirty-two global companies, world leaders in the fashion and textile sector, have signed the Fashion Pact, officially presented to the heads of states gathered during the Biarritz G7 (Sept 2019).

With the Fashion Pact, these companies also take an overview of future trends, and the impact they will have on industry, so as to allow better and more informed decisions for a path of sustainable technology. There are four main trends: geographical changes, digitalization, intelligent consumption and new materials.

Geographical changes

This trend refers to the relocation of production sites. If production is relocated to countries with a high level of income, such as in Europe and the Americas, where effective systems against water pollution and toxicity are already operating, the industry can benefit from a reduced environmental impact even if combined with a higher level of automation (Industry 4.0), can lead to a massive loss of job in countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh. In the case of relocation to low-income countries, such as Ethiopia, the lack of infrastructure could lead to an increase in the impact of waste water or toxicity on humans, if not offset by a push towards the use of renewables in the manufactory.

Digitization

This trend refers to new efficiencies (returns) in the supply chain allowed or produced by new technologies along the entire value chain. However, this trend can also lead to important social consequences (e.g. job loss), which must be taken into account.

Smart consumption

This trend refers to new consumption models, such as the increase in mass customization, e-commerce and new useful business models as long as they support a sustainable economy.

Favorite materials

This trend refers to the adoption of yarns that have a lower environmental impact than their conventional alternatives.

More news