European textile employers in Europe are aiming to expand the recycling footprint across the community area, targeting between 150 and 250 centers over the next eight years. Building on the conclusions from the recent Euratex gathering in Frankfurt during the last macro fair, industry leaders announced findings from the first socio-technological study of the project. The initiative, known informally as ReHubs, pursues the goal of recycling about 80% of sector waste through a network of classification and treatment facilities capable of handling up to 100,000 tons. It requires an investment exceeding 6 billion euros supported by a mix of public and private funds, with strong backing from EU business groups and clusters, including Spain and the Galician conglomerate Inditex among the twenty firms participating to date. If the plan reaches full deployment and operation, textile recycling could evolve into a profitable industry in its own right, with market projections estimated at 6 to 8 billion euros and the creation of about 15,000 direct jobs (source attribution).
The first facilities are expected to be operated by Texai.d, one of Europe’s largest garment collection and recycling companies. The initial phase anticipates completion by the end of 2024, focusing on advancing classification technologies, since current methods struggle with precise material identification. Details about the remaining sites remain scarce. In Galicia, this initiative is deemed meaningful. Alberto Rocha, general secretary of the Cointega-Galicia Fashion Textile Cluster, emphasizes the strategic position of the Iberian Peninsula as a European crossroads where Portugal and Spain meet, calling it a favorable location for piloting the project. The region’s textile industry has long been a gateway for channeling production from Galicia’s apparel brands outward for the past two decades. Although challenges persist, the sector retains substantial industrial vigor (source attribution).
Data from Galician industry reporting show that clothing production in Galicia reached 1,365 million euros in 2021, according to the Annual Industrial Products Survey published by the National Institute of Statistics. This latest edition uniquely analyzes production conducted within establishments on national soil. The Made in Galicia label accounts for 44.2% of the country’s garments, valued around 3.1 billion euros in total. Catalonia contributes roughly 25% (768.7 million), with Valencia at 6.2% (191.8 million), Andalusia at 5.4% (165.6 million), and Madrid at 4.2% (128.7 million) (source attribution).
The textile segment also encompasses the production of fibers, fabrics, yarns, and other base materials that underpin clothing design, manufacturing, and marketing. Galicia’s presence here underscores the region’s diversified capabilities. Last year’s turnover for this sub-sector reached 90 million euros, representing about 2.1% of the nation’s total textile activities, which stood at 4.398 billion euros. In this arena, Catalonia and the Valencian Community hold 43% and 34% of the market, respectively (source attribution).
Industry observers note that while some feel the industrial base in Galicia has weakened, the region still maintains a strong degree of vertical integration. This integration is viewed as a cornerstone of regional success, especially amid a period of significant uncertainty caused by the pandemic and ongoing ecological transition. It is widely believed that future shifts will involve changes in where production happens, how it is carried out, and crucially what products are prioritized. For Galician companies, innovation should align with product offerings that resonate with reachable business niches (source attribution). The Galician textile employers association emphasizes this strategic mindset as the sector moves through disruptive times (source attribution).
According to Cointega, the industry comprises 264 companies across the two principal business lines plus the leather and footwear sector. In 2020, when consumer demand faltered during the pandemic, revenue totaled 1.569 billion euros and employment hovered near 9,000 workers. The current value chain reflects a wide array of firms, ranging from SMEs focused on specific linkages to large, highly vertical organizations. This variability remains a defining feature of Galicia’s textile ecosystem (source attribution).
Galicia also stands out in wood product sales, contributing 1,219 million euros in 2021 and accounting for nearly two out of every ten euros of the region’s industrial turnover. Yet the region’s economic landscape still leans on two major sectors—forestry and automotive—that together generate about 52% of regional turnover, with overall regional activity close to 36,400 million euros (source attribution). The broader message from industry observers emphasizes diversification: relying on a single export pillar can be risky, especially in an era of rapid technological and ecological change. Mary Cadaval, a PhD economist and adviser to regional groups, cautions against “putting all eggs in one basket.” She highlights Galicia’s strong industrial fabric, its know-how, and tradition, while noting the urgent need to adapt production to new global demands and energy realities. Cadaval also points to opportunities for major investments supported by Next Generation funds as part of a broader growth strategy for the region (source attribution).
Cadaval argues that the shift away from older sectors should not dampen the search for new, high-value opportunities that can accompany growth. Galicia’s universities and its robust sectors position it to become a pioneer in fields such as bio-related activities, biomedicine, biotechnology, or biochemistry. She notes that while Europe produces a significant share of high-value, organic products, Spain and Galicia still show room to grow in this domain. The region currently hosts a mix of researchers, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers who can collaborate to unlock that potential, with one in four European start-ups in high-value fields already anchored in similar pathways (source attribution).