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Mauritian Textile & Apparel Industry

Forging the Way for Sustainable Practices

According to the World Economic Forum, the Fashion Industry and its related supply chain is considered as one of the largest polluting industries in the world. This industry’s impact on the environment has grown to gigantic proportions owing to the wave of fast fashion garment. The Fashion Industry accounts for 10% of global emissions, releasing around 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year and these emissions are predicted to increase by more than 50% by the year 2030. This industry consumes 93 billion cubic meters of water each year, creates no less than 20% of all wastewaters, and a massive quantity of environmental impact, from the extraction of raw materials to the transportation of finished products.

For a small island state like Mauritius, the importance of nature and sustainability has long been held as critical for our competitive strategy. Mauritian manufacturers supplying major brands around the world, have over the past two decades, been taking bold actions to mitigate and reverse the damages done to the planet. Local manufacturers have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and responsible practices by adhering to a wide range of international standards. These standards serve as benchmarks for ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship, and the overall sustainability of enterprise operations. Some of the prominent standards complied by these companies include Global Organic Textile Standards, OEKO – TEX, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, REACH, SMETA, BCI (Better Cotton Initiative), GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and RCS (Recycled Content Standard).

Eager to decrease the carbon footprint of Made in Mauritius garmenting, the following initiatives have been implemented by manufacturers:

Energy Saving

Investment in energy-efficient manufacturing and renewable energy sources to reduce the carbon emissions associated with garment production.

• Eco-friendly energy saving washing laser machines
• Low temperature bleaching and dyeing processes
• Use of Coldwater dyeing process to minimize use of energy and toxic chemicals
• Solar farm to shift towards renewable energy
• Development of zero-carbon footprints

Waste Management & Recycling

• Recycling of wastes (plastic, packaging)
• State-of-the-art recycling factory which enables recycling 100% of its post-industrial cotton, which reduces the consumption of resources needed to grow new cotton, greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution

Sustainable Materials

• Use of sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and recycled polyester
• Development of Eco-Index to ensure products are developed with the lowest ecological impact possible

The local industry's move towards shifting to innovative and eco-friendly manufacturing processes is not only a response to consumer demand but also a testament to its commitment to responsible production. By embracing innovation and prioritizing the environment, Mauritian manufacturers are ensuring that the industry remains stylish, efficient and resilient in the face of climate change while moving to the next wave of green consumerism.

The challenge of today is to strike the right balance between fashion and the environment. Advocates of a more sustainable industry propose three design principles: a design for durability, design for long-lasting style, and design for disassembly (Circular Fashion, 2019). In this new vision, clothes are retained at their highest values during their usage and re-enter the economy after use by never-ending up as waste, providing a driving force from a linear economy to a circular.

Despite these advancements, our Textile & Apparel industry is bound to face more pressing challenges in light of the European Green Deal, which is a set of new policy initiatives undertaken by the European Commission with the overarching aim of making Europe climate neutral by 2050. The EU has set several goals for the Textile Industry and by 2030, all textile products must be sustainable, repairable, and recyclable, made from recycled fibers, free from hazardous substances and produced in ways that respect social rights.

Mauritius must adhere to the new sustainable practices regulations and requirements to maintain its market share in Europe (UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany). The EDB will continue to support the industry and promote Mauritius as a compliant destination for ethical, responsible, and sustainable production.

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contact@edbmauritius.org | +230 203 3800