Fashion and Textile Industry Collaborates on Circular Transformation
Highlights from the First Summit of Sector Collaboration
On Tuesday, May 30th, over 80 representatives from the members of the Textile Sector Collaboration gathered for a review of the initial period of sector cooperation. Chairperson Maria Glæsel and the director of Lifestyle & Design Cluster welcomed everyone and expressed their delight in witnessing the participation of both prominent companies with substantial influence and smaller ones with fewer resources, all contributing to setting goals and putting action behind them.
– In many ways, we are strong due to our tradition of quality and sustainability. However, this doesn’t change the fact that the legislation is very complex, said Maria Glæsel. Therefore, we benefit from the fact that the sector collaboration encompasses such a significant portion of the industry.
Betina Simonsen was also pleased to observe the substantial contributions from both large and small companies.
– Seeing such willingness to engage, even from well-established companies with ample resources, is truly remarkable, said Betina Simonsen.
Three Tracks
The three established working groups focusing on “Circular Materials,” “Circular Design,” and “Circular Business Models” presented their progress in each respective area. It was evident that dedicated work had been carried out, and each group had a clear direction for what should be continued in the future.
Fundamentally, it was important to note that there had been a high level of trust and knowledge sharing among the companies, along with the realization that progress comes from data sharing.
Visit by Two Former Ministers of Environment
The day was further enriched by insights from not one, but two former ministers of environment, namely Ida Auken and Lea Wermelin. In connection with this, the latter received the newly established award “Textile Nerd of the Year.”
The political attention to the industry was emphasized when Ida Auken referred to the three Bs (Cars, Farmers, and Houses) and added “Pants” as a fourth – equally alarming climate element. She also reminded the industry that with 4 percent of GDP, it’s actually larger than agriculture, thus should also play an equally important role – not only in terms of challenges but also as those who can make the greatest difference.
Overall, the sector collaboration has firmly embedded itself in the political landscape and is already serving as a vital dialogue forum in relation to industry associations, the environmental agency, and the ministry, all of which have drawn on the collaboration’s knowledge.
International Perspective
Representatives from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme)
– the international climate action NGO that the sector collaboration joined in 2022 – were also present at the event.
– Our recommendation for the Danish sector collaboration is for companies to unite against the major challenges. Sharing information and leveraging the opportunities within this field, where competition isn’t the focus, is crucial, said Cathryn Tims, Delivery Manager for Textiles Voluntary Agreements at WRAP.
Several speakers also touched upon the perspective of cross-Nordic cooperation. And despite the considerable challenges, Betina Simonsen remains optimistic.
– We’ve shown before that the industry can adapt, she said.”
Mood pictures from the sector cooperation summit
The Sector Collaboration is in collaboration with:
Join us
The Sector Collaboration is open to all Danish textile producers and design companies, both new and resale actors, as well as service companies facilitating resale. If your company aligns with the shared goals and wishes to participate in the exciting work of how we achieve them, please sign up below.
Cooperation agreement
When registering, you must approve a cooperation agreement. The goals in the agreement must be a guiding star for the members’ individual and joint striving for more circular materials, design and consumption.
The agreement is voluntary and not legally binding.
Once you have confirmed your participation in the sector collaboration, your logo and company name will appear on the website.
The Sector Collaboration has an advisory board appointed by the Ministry of Environment. Lifestyle & Design Cluster serves as the secretariat for the collaboration.
The advisory board comprises companies within the fashion and textile industry, collectively representing over half of the Danish turnover in the sector.
List of Advisory Board Members
- Maria Glæsel, Aiayu (chair person)
- Thomas Klausen, Danish Fashion & Textiles
- Marie Mustelin, Danish Chamberof Commerce, WEAR
- Betina Simonsen, Lifestyle & Design Cluster
- Dorte Rye Olsen, Bestseller
- Jens Obel, DK-Company
- Jette Radich, Salling Group
- Nikolaj Refstrup, Ganni
- Laurits Vestergaard, JYSK
- Søren Sonne, Dansk Wilton
- Helle Nybo Holmberg, Nybo Workwear A/S
- Mads Aarøe Mathiesen, Trendsales
- Sanne Nørgaard, Green Cotton
- Thomas Vangsgaard, Spejdersport
- Jacob Gullak Andersen, Confederation of Danish Industry
- Samt Repræsentanter fra Ministry of Environment and The Danish Environment Agency.
3 Goals based on circular principles
The cooperation is based on three goals, which are based on international principles of circular economy:
- Before 2030, all clothing and textiles from Danish companies will consist of at least 40 per cent recycled material, including at least 10 per cent. recycled directly from textile fibres. (The use of recycled material must take place within the framework of the EU’s textile strategy, including particularly with regard to food-grade PET plastic. And it is calculated as an average for each company.)
- To create common circular design requirements with a view to clothes from Danish companies being designed to have more lives and to be part of optimal circular circuits. The design requirements must be applicable to both small and large companies.
- A larger part of the turnover on clothes in Denmark comes from resale, and clothes are kept in use as long as possible.
Press Releases
Ministry of Environment, August 8, 2022: New Binding Collaboration to Make Danish Textile Industry Greener
Detailwatch.dk, August 8, 2022: New Collaboration Aims for a More Climate-Friendly Fashion and Textile Industry
DR News, August 8, 2022: Ten Danish Companies Enter Agreement for a Greener Clothing Industry by 2030 | National | DR
Fashion Forum, August 8, 2022: 10 Danish Fashion Companies Forge Collaboration with Ministry of Environment
Børsen, August 8, 2022: Government Aims to Green the Fashion Industry: “Important to Note, It’s Not a Free Pass”
TV2 Lorry, August 10, 2022: 19:30 – Aug 10, 2022 | TV 2 Lorry
Herning Folkeblad, August 9, 2022: Green Focus During Fashion Week: Four Local Clothing Companies Take the Lead | Herning Folkeblad
FashionUnited, August 10, 2022: Denmark’s Ministry of Environment Initiates Circular Movement Among Companies (fashionunited.com)
WRAP, September 9, 2022: Denmark Leads Textile Industry, Amplifying Global Textiles Action Network | WRAP
Go’ Morgen DK, September 11, 2022: Good Morning Denmark: Ten Clothing Companies Aim for Sustainability – Lifestyle • 17 min – TV 2 PLAY
For press inquiries, please contact Steen Ancher
**Press Contact:**
Steen Ancher
Kommunikationsansvarlig
Mobil: 20554399
steen@ldcluster.com
Steen Ancher
Communications Manager
Mobile: 20554399
Email: steen@ldcluster.com
- Betina Simonsen
Direktør
Tlf. 9616 6200
Mobil: 2936 0090
betina@ldcluster.com
- Lone Haumann
Projektleder af GCO og CØ SMV
Mobil: 26232663
lone@ldcluster.com
These companies have agreed to be part of the sector collaboration and actively work towards achieving the goals.
Your company can also join – sign up here.
The Minister of Environment and the fashion and textile industry have launched a partnership working towards a set of common circular objectives by 2030. All companies within the Fashion and Textile industry are invited to participate in this collaboration.
On Monday, August 8, Minister of Environment, Lea Wermelin, announced the start of a sector collaboration between the ministry, 10 companies, and three organizations, with ambitions to engage a larger part of the Danish fashion and textile industry.
Stay Ahead of Future Demands:
There are increasing demands placed on clothing and textile products, and future regulations will put the responsibility for circular design and materials on the manufacturers. This presents an opportunity to stay ahead of the expected requirements and gain deeper insights into the textile agenda. Through the sector collaboration, all Danish companies can participate in knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences, thereby ensuring collective progress and action.
Goals Based on Circular Principles:
The collaboration is built upon three goals grounded in international principles of circular economy:
- By 2030, all clothing and textiles from Danish companies will comprise a minimum of 40% recycled materials, including at least 10% directly sourced from textile fibers. (The use of recycled materials will comply with the framework of the EU’s textile strategy, particularly addressing food-grade PET plastic. These figures will be calculated as averages per company.)
- To establish unified circular design requirements, aimed at ensuring that clothing from Danish companies is designed for extended lifecycles and optimal circular systems. These design criteria will be applicable to both small and large enterprises.
- A larger proportion of Denmark’s clothing revenue will come from resale, promoting the longevity of garment use.
Steering Committee and Secretariat:
A steering committee with broad representation from the Danish fashion and textile industry has been appointed. As an initial step in the sector collaboration, several working groups are established to define objectives more precisely, exchange solutions related to recycled materials, establish common design principles, and contribute to the dissemination of reuse solutions and circular business models.
To ensure progress and stakeholder involvement, a secretariat for the sector collaboration has been established at Lifestyle & Design Cluster. The secretariat aims to encourage as many stakeholders within the fashion and textile industry as possible to partake in the circular transformation.
Activities in the Sector Collaboration:
- The steering committee establishes working groups to support designated initiatives within the sector collaboration. All participating companies can engage in one or more working groups.
- The working groups create sub-goals and recommend them to the steering committee.
- The steering committee initiates new actions that align with achieving the overarching goals of the sector collaboration.
