Solving the systemic challenges in textile and fashion industry

The current logic in fashion industry relies on cheap manufacturing, frequent consumption and short-lived garment use. Despite the horrific environmental impact, the industry continues to grow. The problems are systemic and appear throughout the value chain; design, material use, production, consumption, marketing based on identity building rather than needs, lack of recycling opportunities. 

We need systemic and fundamental changes in the textile and fashion industry’s business model, including a deceleration of manufacturing and the introduction of sustainable practices throughout the supply chain; decreasing clothing purchases and increasing garment lifetimes.  

FINIX researchers observe the textile industry as a holistic system and highlight the changes that need to take place simultaneously by different players all around the globe. FINIX will support industrial transformation towards more sustainable textile and fashion sector. 

New sustainable balance in the industry and consumption can be created by decreasing CO2 emissions, freshwater use in water scarce areas and microplastics in oceans.  Moreover, better balance can be created by extending the use time of garments, producing better product quality and creating new business understanding. This could end up decreasing environmental impacts of this industrial sector remarkable figures. Resource-wise textile business in Finland can also succeed in ways that promote global sustainable development. 

This research project is a collaboration between Aalto University, SYKE, VTT, LUT, LAB and Turku Universities of Applied Sciences, Heureka and Rhea Solutions Oy. The project is funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) at the Academy of Finland. 

The team: 

• The project is lead by Minna Halme and work packages by Kirsi Niinimäki, Samuli Patala, Jarkko Levänen and Herbert Sixta. 

Contact:  

• interaction coordinator Sini Suomalainen, [email protected]. 

ONLINE events: Solving the systemic challenges in textile and fashion industry

15:09:20 15:00-16:30 | Muodikasta vastuullisuutta? -online työpaja  (Kieli / language: Suomi / in Finnish)

Ilmoittaudu: https://webropol.com/s/fashionablesustainability 

21:09:20 18:00-19:30 | Fashionable sustainability? online workshop (Language: in English)

The workshop welcomes fashion lovers who are keen to understand and rethink the fashion domain though sustainable lenses. 

Register: https://webropol.com/s/fashionablesustainability