Sustainability

Address by Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director General at Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

We often focus on industries like textiles when discussing carbon emissions but rarely question the growing footprint of the service sector. With the world racing toward artificial intelligence, we must ask: how much energy will AI supercomputers demand, and how much heat will they generate?

Address by a representative of Bureau Veritas India Pvt. Ltd.

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to ESDCCI, my fellow panelists, and all the participants present here. It is truly a privilege to be part of this session, where we are discussing one of the most crucial topics today—sustainable textiles.

Since this morning, we have explored processes, new technologies, machinery, and production innovations. However, it is equally important to recognize the organizations that govern these standards, monitor compliance, and ensure that facilities meet sustainability and quality requirements.

Address by Anil Kumar Director Origination & Partnerships, Kosher Climate.

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

Before diving into the integration of carbon markets and sustainability standards, I want to express my gratitude to Rakesh Ji and PHDCCI for inviting me to this session.

Our organization operates across compliance and voluntary carbon markets while working closely with global sustainability frameworks. With a presence in over 10 countries, we collaborate with governments, NGOs, and local communities across four key areas: carbon recovery, nature-based solutions, pollution control, and industrial decarbonization.

A company dedicated to sustainable textile solutions. Their core mission revolves around transforming textile waste into valuable resources, emphasizing circularity within the fashion industry. They achieve this by converting pre- and post-consumer textile scraps into high-quality recycled fibers, yarns, and fabrics, primarily focusing on cotton and cotton-blend materials.

The website showcases their commitment to reducing environmental impact through innovation, offering a tangible pathway for brands to adopt more eco-conscious practices. Greenext positions itself as a crucial partner in the transition towards a greener textile value chain, providing solutions that minimize landfill waste, conserve resources, and reduce carbon footprint, thereby fostering a more responsible and sustainable future for textiles.

Address by Ms Bansari Nag l National Project Coordinator, ILO.

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

While environmental sustainability dominates discussions, the human dimension often remains overlooked. The International Labour Organization (ILO), operating in 187 countries, stresses that labour rights and social justice are as crucial as environmental and governance goals. Since 2017, ILO initiatives in Telangana and Madhya Pradesh have focused on empowering cotton farmers, ensuring labour standards, and embedding human rights principles in the textile value chain.

Textile & Apparel Sourcing in Crisis: Tariffs, Price Pressures, Retail Fallout & the Consumer Impact

Date & Time
Sep 23, 2025 03:00 PM in India
Description
Global textile and apparel sourcing is facing unprecedented challenges. Brands and manufacturers must navigate rising costs, volatile demand, retail disruption, and a value-conscious consumer. This webinar breaks down the crisis and explores practical strategies forward.
What’s Happening Now
Price pressure despite high supplier costs; volatile orders with shorter lead times, smaller lots.

Address by Dr. J.K. Gupta serves as Scientist E/Director and Head of the Textiles Department at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

Over the years, we have undertaken significant work across a diverse spectrum of textiles—ranging from jute, coir, and silk to natural dye-stuffs, technical textiles, and sustainable materials. Many of these products are inherently eco-friendly, but our commitment goes further.

India holds a leadership role in the global standardization of natural dyes, with 27 specialized committees working across areas spanning man-made fibers, technical textiles, machinery, and more. Within technical textiles alone, we cover 12 crucial segments, from agro-textiles and medical textiles to smart textiles and specialty fibers.

Address by Murugan Thenkondar l President at Grasim Industries Limited Pulp & Fibre.

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

I am Murugan from Grasim Industries, and I will briefly share our journey and commitment to sustainability.

When India gained independence on 15th August 1947, much of the cotton-growing land went to Pakistan following the partition. At that time, Mahatma Gandhi asked Shri J.D. Birla, a close associate, how India would overcome this cotton scarcity.

Just ten days after independence, on 20th August 1947, Shri Birla founded Grasim Industries to produce man-made fibers as an alternative to cotton. This was not just an industrial venture but a nation-building initiative aligned with India’s self-reliance vision.

Address by Dr Pankaj Kumar l National Project Coordinator at UNIDO.

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

Addressing Sustainability in India's Textile Industry

India's textile industry is at a critical juncture, facing significant challenges related to chemical and energy use. A new six-year, UNIDO-led project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), aims to address these issues by eliminating hazardous chemicals and promoting cleaner technologies.

Address by Rajinder Kumar, Economic advisor GoI (Textiles).

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

First of all, let me express my heartfelt gratitude to PHDCCI for organizing this wonderful event on such a critical topic—sustainability management. My special thanks to Zakir Hussain and Sree Devji Mukherjee for their efforts. Being from the industry, I have had the privilege of interacting with them on many occasions, and it is always enriching.

I won’t take much of your time, but I would like to highlight a few key points. Before that, I must congratulate all our panelists for sharing such insightful perspectives on sustainability innovations in the textile sector.

Address by Rajeev Gupta Joint Managing Director of RSWM Ltd.

4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025

Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications.

It is a privilege to share my thoughts on this important day—a day when policymakers, innovators, and business leaders have gathered to discuss the future of our industry. And what makes it even more special is that it coincides with the Honourable Prime Minister’s birthday, whose commitment to sustainability inspires us to make today’s dialogue truly meaningful.

Innovating Towards a Sustainable Future Strategy in the Textile Industry.

Address by R.K. Vij, Advisor – Polyester, Indorama Synthetics (India) Ltd
4th Edition Sustainable Textiles Summit 2025 | September 17, 2025
Compiled by: Salil Chawla, Director, DFU Publications

It is my privilege as Chair to welcome all of you to this important gathering—a confluence of global insights, national policy directions, technological breakthroughs, and industry commitments—all united by a single goal: building a truly sustainable future for the textile sector.