In the first 10months of 2021, China's textile and garment exports exceeded $256 million in value. Local researchers also focused on making the industry greener during this time.
High demand for waste process techniques
Known to create 92 million tons of waste globally, China’s textile industry is not environmentally friendly, says a China Global Textile News report. The industry is seeing high demand for waste process techniques, especially after China tightened laws for discharge of textile waste, adds Wang Bijia, Associate Professor, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Donghua University. It is looking for alternative techniques for waterless dyeing and processing, he adds.
Bijia has already applied his recent continuous processing techniques for knitted fabrics to a demonstration line in a factory in Shandong. The new technology helped save 70 per cent of the factory's water usage and 65 per cent of the electrolytes in the water. China was the largest exporter of textile and clothing products in 2019, as per IKAR data analysis. It had about 24,000 companies in the business till the year. This makes achieving sustainability in the industry challenging. However, the sector is attracting many environmental professionals and new graduates to return home and establish their own companies in the country.
Apply advanced techniques to textile manufacturing
A group of Chinese graduates from Europe have set up Peersphere for developing 100 per cent new biodegradable materials from seaweed. The new material can serve as an alternative for animal leather. The company sees good prospects for its technologies in China, says Cheng Hanwen, Partner. It won the first prize at Kering Generation Award in 2021 for sustainable development in clothing industry. Plans are to use the €100,000 prize money to expand and look for more manufacturing partners.
Cai Jinging, President, Kering-Greater China says, the company was encouraged by the outpouring enthusiasm and participation from the entrepreneurs and startups at the awards. She expects young entrepreneurs educated in top universities overseas to come back and set up companies in China. Such startups will not only be introduced to industry leaders but also provided funds and other amenities, adds Jinging.
Shi Dinghuan, Chairman-Experts Committee, Energy Investment Professional Committee, Investment Association of China, notes, China should learn from European countries and start applying advanced clean technologies in textile manufacturing. The committee is now working to form standards for zero-carbon industrial parks and companies. These standards will guide companies to formulate plans and find appropriate technologies, adds Dhinghuan.
