The initiative from Fashion for Good and Arvind targets Tier 2 factories, which are critical to the supply chain, with the goal of making them environmentally sustainable while maintaining financial feasibility.
Fashion for Good explains the two-pronged project involves creating a detailed framework for eco-friendly production practices and establishing an advanced manufacturing site designed to achieve up to a 93% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions relative to traditional factory operations.
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This implementation signifies a substantial financial commitment to transitioning from theoretical innovations to tangible, proven solutions that are both commercially and environmentally sound.
Arvind’s proposed new facility in Gujarat, India, will focus on cotton woven and knit production and is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 93% compared to traditional manufacturing processes.
The site is designed to conserve approximately 60 litres of water per kilogram of fabric produced, positioning it as the industry’s inaugural near net-zero textile production hub.
The blueprint not only emphasises environmental impact reductions but also concentrates on ensuring the commercial success of a ‘Future Forward Factory’. It includes exploring subsidies, grants, and incentives to bridge the gap between current practices and these innovative methods.
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By GlobalDataThe viability of this physical facility depends on funding support from industry stakeholders to make the cutting-edge innovations economically feasible.
Fashion for Good managing director Katrin Ley said: “We are at a critical moment in the fashion industry’s journey towards sustainability. With Future Forward Factories, we are taking decisive action to catalyse transformation through both knowledge-sharing and practical implementation.
“By developing a blueprint and working with Arvind to build an actual facility that addresses the challenges of Tier 2 manufacturing – where 52% of the industry’s CO2 emissions and almost all water and chemical usage occurs – we can demonstrate real-world solutions that drive systemic change.”
Strategies to meet environmental and social goals
- Transitioning operations towards near net-zero through renewable energy use and advanced technologies
- Reducing water consumption by limiting fresh water use and integrating waterless technologies in processes such as printing
- Achieving ZDHC level 3 compliance for chemicals, potentially lowering chemical usage due to innovative processes
- Enhancing wastewater quality with new treatment methods, reducing the need for extensive wastewater treatment
- Establishing a framework for a Just Transition that prioritises worker well-being during the adoption of green technologies.
Arvind Limited vice chairman Punit Lalbhai said: “As a leader in the textile sector, Arvind is committed to pioneering sustainable manufacturing practices. By both developing a blueprint and constructing an innovative facility, we will demonstrate how these technologies can be implemented at scale to address the textile industry’s biggest environmental challenges.”
The new initiative gains support from catalytic funders like Laudes Foundation, Apparel Impact Institute, IDH, and partners such as Bluwin, Wazir Advisors, Grant Thornton Bharat, and Sattva Consulting.
Future Forward Factories will debut at the Global Fashion Summit 2025, with plans to publicly release the open-source blueprint in September 2025.
The initiative also invites other suppliers to collaborate with Fashion for Good in developing additional blueprints suitable for various manufacturing settings, thereby enhancing the industry’s capacity to adopt and scale sustainable practices.
In November last year, Fashion for Good unveiled its collaborative effort with Bestseller, On, and other fashion brands to drive the fashion industry’s transition away from fossil-fuel-based polymers.
