EU

Textile industry
in Morocco

A vital job creator and accounting for over 20% of the country's total export, the textile and garment sector plays an important role to Morocco's development. Most of the 1 billion pieces of textile and garments, that are annually produced in Morocco, are destined for the neighbouring European market. Hence, taking actions that can improve the environmental and economic performance of the Moroccan textile and garment industry would benefit us all.

Under the SwitchMed Programme, UNIDO has focused on actions that can develop the value chain of the textile and garment industry in Morocco to become more circular and less polluting. Together with global brands, international key experts, local stakeholders, and actors along the Moroccan textile value chain, UNIDO has demonstrated business models that can valorize post-industrial and pre-consumer textile waste and eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in textile and garment production.

Developing circular value chains for valorizing textile waste

Global demand for sustainably sourced cotton and polyester fibers is growing and calls for alternative sourcing to meet this request. Cutting scraps, defective pieces of garments, unsold collections, and second quality graded products from the garment supply chain represent a significant amount of waste, but is also an untapped resource that could meet the industry demand for recycled fibers.

Developing a value chain that can appeal to all actors along it, and facilitating the valorization of textile waste into value-added products, requires a comprehensive mapping of waste and know-how of the local value chain. Together with leading international brands, local industry stakeholders and the government, UNIDO has demonstrated how circular business models can facilitate proper classification, efficient collection, sorting and recycling and the valorization of post-industrial and pre-consumer textiles in line with global market specifications.

For more information about the pilot project, please refer to the business cases below:

  • Business case: Advancing local manufacturing of yarns and fabrics with recycled content in Morocco

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  • Business case: Textile Fiber Recycling for Industrial Symbiosis in Morocco

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  • Business case: Circular design techniques for extending the lifetime of fabrics and garments, as well as improving textile fiber recycling

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Disclosure of safer chemicals protocols in textile manufacturing

Applying sustainable chemical management is crucial for reducing pollution and ensuring textile fibres that are safe and reusable in a circular economy.

Together with the ZDHC Foundation, UNIDO has demonstrated practices on how to replace hazardous chemicals in business from Morocco’s textile industry, ensuring systemic compliance with leading chemical protocols. The activities have included the training of local experts, industry demonstrations, and supporting businesses with certifications, which eventually will lead to increased compliance with international market standards, which better positions the companies in the global textile supply chain.

For more information about the pilot project, please refer to the business cases below:

  • Business case: Adopting safer chemical management in the fashion value chain - Evlox

    English

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  • Business case: Adopting safer chemical management in the fashion value chain - Atrefil

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