Three sustainable textile initiatives have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to address energy efficiency, environmental and other sustainability issues in the European textile industry. The energy made-to-measure campaign of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) is now collaborating with the blue competence initiative of the VDMA (German textile machinery association) and the sustainable technologies project run by the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT).

The three initiatives will share knowledge and technical know-how and update their findings at upcoming leading trade fairs, including Techtextil/Texprocess and ITMA. The energy made-to-measure campaign, launched in 2014 and due to run until 2016, provides companies, mainly small and medium units, with tools, best practices and training to assess options and take informed decisions about energy efficiency measures.

The campaign has so far promoted the outcome of three international projects on textile and clothing manufacturing co-funded by the European Union, namely ARTISAN, SESES and SET. More than 20 public events have taken place in 8 countries where professionals meet and discuss opportunities to spare energy and cut costs for a more efficient, sustainable manufacturing.

VDMA launched the blue competence initiative to support sustainable textile production, particularly via means of a more sparing use of resources and more efficient manufacturing processes involving intelligent technical solutions.