The H&M Foundation is investing about $4.8 million into Future Forward Factories, a five-year program led by Fashion for Good. This initiative aims to create open-source blueprints and full-scale operational sites to help manufacturers transition from fossil fuels and old equipment to near net-zero operations.
Established with anchor partner Arvind Limited, the first factory is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 93 per cent and save approximately 60 liters of water per kilogram of fabric.
The main goal is to achieve near net-zero manufacturing that is open-source, supplier-centered, and regionally relevant.
Going beyond just innovation, this program focuses on eliminating barriers to adoption and ensuring the transition actually improves livelihoods. The Future Forward Factories' blueprints include new machinery and clean energy, as well as strategies to support workers and communities as they adapt to the changes.
The Foundation believes philanthropy can act as a catalyst for system-wide transformation. By bridging the gap between early validation and widespread adoption, this funding gives suppliers, brands, and investors the confidence to scale up the efforts.
