The Association of Textile Entrepreneurs of the Valencian Community (Ateval), in collaboration with the Institute of Textile Technologies (Aitex), organized a conference on the challenges and opportunities faced by companies as a result of new European regulations designed to push the industry. towards sustainability. Rafa Climent, Minister of Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Labor, attended the event that brought together 110 professionals and said, “The circular economy opens a new era for textiles and the rest in general. sectors where it will be produced in a way that benefits everyone while respecting the boundaries of our planet and protecting the environment.
Different speakers attending the meeting held in Ontinyent this Thursday agreed that the coming years will be decisive for textiles. According to what emerged at the conference, what textile companies should do A significant effort to comply with new regulations and legislationLike the EU strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textile Products, Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil or the Valencia Community waste bill. In conclusion, the circular economy is the new model of production and consumption we must move forward to optimize resources and minimize waste generated by the industry.
In his speech, Rafa Climent highlighted the efforts of Ateval and its affiliates to comply with the requirements derived from the European Green Deal, and highlighted the role of technology institutes such as Aitex in applying and transferring all their knowledge and research to companies.
In this sense, the Person in Charge of the Economy said from his Ministry and the Valencia Institute for Commercial Competitiveness (IVACE) that “we will continue to support the textile industry with measures, services and tools that will help the textile industry”. research, innovation and development of new technologiesnecessary to promote the circular economy”.
David Allo, Head of Sustainability at the Intertextile Council of Spain, focused his presentation on the new European Strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textile Products, a change in the production model along the supply chain and measures that represent a major challenge for the sector. . David Allo, “In Spain and especially in the Valencian Community international leaders in sustainability, new R+D+i developments, products with low carbon and water footprints, etc. The most strategic part of sustainability is in industry, in manufacturing, so the time to take advantage of the sustainability variable should come soon”. In this sense, “Spain’s textile manufacturers are very well positioned at the moment, where, because of the legal framework, products and knowledge, Europe is assertive that the market only has sustainable products and ultimately lower sustainability from an inspiring plane to a real plane. ”
Vicente Cambra, assistant director of R&D, of Aitex; Isabel Soriano, Head of Innovation Space, and Lucas Frochoso, Director of R&D Projects, presented the most technical part, briefing the attendees on the available certifications, Extended Producer Responsibility (RAP), Waste Law and ecodesign. strategic projects of economic transformation with exhibitions of various success stories and research areas. In this sense, Vicente Cambra said that “all this change a big challenge for the industrybut every step we take in terms of sustainability and circular economy will be a great opportunity for the well-being of the environment and society in general.” Concluding, he revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the industry, commenting, “We should not be afraid, because despite the limitations, we are starting from a good situation and high production capacity”.
In his speech, Ateval President José Vicente Serna said, “We need to follow the guidelines set by the new legislation and move on to a new production model. prevent textile waste and pollution”. For José Vicente Serna, “we are faced with a new textile transformation for manufacturers, administrations and society in general, which we must go hand in hand, because it also involves a change in tradition and culture. Therefore, such conferences are essential to learn about new regulations and to open channels of information and action to help our companies initiate change.”
Vicente Blanes, managing director of AITEX, for his part, stressed the importance of a conference he considered essential. One of the most important challenges companies face”. In this sense, he reminded that “we are at the service of companies, especially SMEs” at the Aitex Technology Institute, and emphasized that “it encourages the use of all services from fields such as education to bring competitiveness to the sector”. , I+D and Internationalization”.
The event was closed by Paula Tuzón Marco, regional secretary for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, and said, “It is a priority for the ministry to deepen and develop the circular economy connected to the textile world. It is important to reuse as much as possible. in general, but in particular, textiles have a lot of potential. That’s why we’ve made a number of improvements to separate collection of textile waste at source for 200,000 Euros. And over the coming months, we’ve put together a line of around two million euros from restructuring funds to upgrade existing facilities to prepare for the reuse and recycling of textile waste in the Community of Valencia. All this presupposes a specific and singular support for this sector. In addition, it should be said that for the next 22-23 years of retirement, we are requesting new assignments to MITECO to re-offend in these matters.”