Textiles are under mounting pressure as gas and electricity prices climb, forcing many companies to reassess operations. Some businesses are considering submitting Employment Arrangement Files (ERE) or even closing their facilities. This is a fragile moment, pushing the sector to seek government support and implement relief measures. Proposals at the table include direct aid and tax relief aimed at reducing electricity bills. These topics reflect a broader concern about sustaining a crucial industry during volatile energy markets.
Energy costs are crushing the most energy-intensive segments of the sector. The textile cluster in the Alicante districts of l’Alcoià and El Comtat, together with the Vall d’Albaida district in Valencia, is particularly affected. The region is home to 1,020 companies employing around 8,500 workers, contributing to roughly 800 million euros in annual electricity expenditures. These figures position this area as the third most significant textile hub in the country, trailing only Barcelona and Madrid.
Consequently, the Spanish Intertextile Council (CIE) has urged the government to keep its promises of assistance, arguing that current measures fall far short. Industry leaders note that gas prices surged fivefold within a year and electricity costs doubled, making energy a dominant factor in operating costs, especially for the paint and finishing subsector. In spinning, electricity costs rose from about 10% to 30%, while weaving saw an even larger share, around 55% of total costs. Direct, practical relief is viewed as essential to stabilize the sector and preserve jobs.
Manuel Díaz, president of the CIE, described the situation as unsustainable. Companies are depleting their capital to cope with the energy crisis, and there are few signs of relief for the coming months. While the industry is exploring circularity and sustainability models, these long-term changes require stability that current market conditions do not provide. In addition to energy, rising raw material costs, transportation, and other inputs are heightening pressure across the value chain.
Looking ahead, Díaz warned of a very challenging autumn for the textile sector. He stressed that many firms are reaching the limits of what they can absorb and some are even weighing regulatory filings or closures as a result of the crisis. In a broader context, Teresa Ribera, the third vice president and Minister of Energy Transition, had recently highlighted textiles as a social and economic engine, noting that the sector accounts for about 3% of GDP, 4% of employment, and a notable share of exports. The industry watchdog contends that these figures may decline unless the administration takes decisive action to address the exceptional circumstances facing the sector.
In this climate, Pepe Serna, president of the Valencia Community Textile Entrepreneurs Association (Ateval), acknowledges the magnitude of the problem and recalls that some ERTEs were proposed months ago. He underscores the need for direct government support, tax relief, and energy bill relief to prevent further erosion of margins and to provide a window for adaptation and investment. The call is clear: decisive, timely policy action is required now to shield the sector from a delayed, irreversible impact on employment and regional competitiveness.
León Grau, head of the AITEX technology institute and director of Hilaturas Miel, emphasizes that margins are tightening across the industry, with the finishing subsector bearing a disproportionate burden. He warns that continued cost pressures could force many firms to reduce production or halt operations. Jorge Sanjuan, CEO of Comersan, echoes the sentiment, noting that passing higher costs to customers is not straightforward and intensifies market tension. The collective concern is that without prompt relief, the textile ecosystem in these regions could suffer lasting damage.