China’s textile and apparel industry emissions were driven largely by household consumption and exports between 2000 and 2018, according to new modelling research. The study found that integrating renewable energy adoption with expanded clothing recycling could curb long-term emissions growth across interconnected supply chains while supporting continued industrial development.

The Government of India has outlined measures to promote eco-friendly textiles, organic fibres and natural dyes, citing rising global demand and export potential. Initiatives include cluster-based pilot projects, research collaborations, branding efforts and organic cultivation schemes to strengthen sustainable production, certification and domestic manufacturing across the textile value chain.

Textile Exchange has introduced a structured three-step pathway for its Action Cohort, outlining reporting, verification and leadership requirements to accelerate responsible raw material production. The framework forms part of a broader membership restructure distinguishing Community and Action cohorts, with reporting voluntary in 2026 and mandatory for brands and retailers from 2027.

An APEC report has assessed how agro-industrial waste can be converted into textile dyes, positioning agricultural residues as inputs for circular production systems. The study examined technological, industrial and policy pathways to reduce synthetic dye pollution, address performance constraints in natural colourants and strengthen traceable linkages between farming communities and textile manufacturers.

Fashion’s mid-market is undergoing a structural reset as pressure from fast-fashion, value players and premium brands erodes its traditional price–value advantage. Once the industry’s stable centre, the segment has lost share, relevance and scale, particularly in the UK. The transformation under way in the mid-market now offers an early warning of the forces reshaping premium fashion.

Nepal’s garment sector shows strong export potential but is being held back by labour shortages, high turnover, low productivity, weak buyer linkages and costly logistics across production and delivery stages. If these constraints are addressed, firms expect exports to rise sharply, even as the industry faces mounting pressure from least developed country graduation and a changing global trade environment.

Gender pay disparities remain embedded in Türkiye’s fashion manufacturing sector, according to a new insights paper published by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA). Drawing on factory surveys, union interviews and social compliance data, the study examines structural drivers of wage inequality and outlines coordinated actions for policymakers, brands, other buyers and suppliers.

Recycling processes in the garment and footwear sector were found to carry heightened labour, environmental and governance risks, driven by widespread informality, low margins and hazardous working conditions. The analysis highlighted forced labour, child labour, unsafe facilities and criminal waste practices as material exposures within collection, sorting and reprocessing systems.

A feasibility assessment for South Africa has mapped 81 million additional garments for potential localisation by 2030, equivalent to R7.9 billion in annual manufacturing sales. The research assessed retailer demand, supplier readiness and factory-level competitiveness under the Retail Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Masterplan to test conditions for viability.

Fashion for Good has launched Stretching Circularity, a collaborative project focused on accelerating adoption of bio-based and recycled elastane alternatives compatible with circular textile systems. Through pilot-scale validation and demonstrator garments, the initiative aims to address elastane’s role as a recycling contaminant and generate comparable data on performance, impact and scalability.