The textile sector weaves its path towards decarbonization

The Spanish textile sector faces the need for a major transformation. This change is already mandated within the legal framework, where European Union environmental regulations set the pace for this transformation and consequently affect the timelines for its implementation. It is also driven by a shift in consumer mentality, as in recent years, consumers have become more aware of the environmental and social impacts of the products they purchase.

Thus, companies are gradually exploring new energy strategies to adapt to these changes. However, many of the tools and technologies available in the market must be adapted to each of the industrial processes within the plants, making it not always easy to choose the optimal strategy to maximize energy efficiency and competitiveness. In this regard, technology centers position themselves as long-term strategic partners for industries, accompanying them in the successful planning and implementation of this transformation.

This is even more critical in the current situation, where the prices of natural gas and electricity are at historic highs. According to the CIE, companies are paying, on average, 72% more due to the increase in energy costs. This financial strain is particularly severe for companies involved in textile finishing and dyeing, where a large amount of thermal energy is required.

This transformation of the sector is leveraged on two major axes: digitalization and sustainability. Technological solutions such as eco-design, sectoral traceability at the national level, and the adoption of cleaner and more efficient production processes, for example, in complex processes like dyeing, emerge as effective pathways for implementing circular economy models.

Due to the high concentration of companies in the sector in the Levante region of Spain and their proximity to each other, common and collaborative actions in the field of energy are seen as the most promising solutions. In this regard, with industrial symbiosis, companies can collaboratively use residual or valorized sources of raw materials, making more efficient use of resources and, therefore, improving their competitiveness.

The transition to sustainability also involves the incorporation of renewable energies in the industry. Therefore, major companies in the textile sector are already seeking alternatives in renewable energies, opting for photovoltaic generation or the incorporation of biofuels such as biomethane or biomass. In the long term, hydrogen will present itself as a solution with many advantages. Before that, the first step will be to conduct a techno-economic analysis of its incorporation into the industry to make the best decisions in the future.

The acceleration of innovation and the development of technological solutions capable of creating, modifying, and improving processes will play a significant role in enhancing the sector's competitiveness as it begins to weave its path towards decarbonization.