The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Moroccan Association of Textile and Clothing Industries (AMITH), leaders from the textile value chain, and the European Union delegation in Morocco. A detailed national roadmap on how to minimize and valorize pre-consumption textile waste was presented during the event, developed from the learnings and outcomes of the textile initiative in Morocco.

The roadmap focuses on critical aspects for industries to consider when reusing textiles as a material in their production processes. These aspects include ensuring the safety of the reclaimed material, determining the stage at which it was reclaimed, identifying the most suitable recycling technology, determining the best end uses for the recycled materials, and designing products that can be recycled more efficiently.

Hanan Hanzaz, Head of the Regional Office for the Arab Region and Officer-in-Charge Representative of UNIDO in Morocco, emphasized the roadmap’s significance. “This roadmap aims to generate and guide discussion among stakeholders regarding key milestones, objectives, and timelines related to developing and implementing a strategic plan to leverage circular business models. The overarching objective is to enhance the competitiveness of the Moroccan textile industry while minimizing its environmental impact.”

In the textile initiative, UNIDO’s collaboration with international brands, local producers, expert organizations, and national institutions has been vital to demonstrate business models that can convert textile waste into valuable resources. The initiative included two pilot projects aimed at reintroducing high and low-value pre-consumer textile waste into the Moroccan textile value chain. Additionally, another pilot initiative collaborated with the Casa Moda Academy to develop student capsule collections based on circular design principles from pre-consumer textile waste. The selected collections from this collaboration will be exhibited during the Milan Fashion Week at the WSM | White Sustainable Milan from February 22-26.

As part of its efforts to promote the phase-out of hazardous chemicals in Morocco’s textile industry, UNIDO partnered with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation, a multi-stakeholder initiative for the textile, apparel, leather and footwear industry. The ZDHC initiative provided training and capacity-building actions that helped prepare country roadmaps to extend the adoption of ZDHC guidelines within the textile-finishing sector. By adopting safer chemicals for different processes, the recovery of materials and resources from the production process can be improved, and the sector can become better compliant with international market requirements.

Roberta De Palma, a Chief Technical Advisor from UNIDO, highlighted the importance of efficient chemical management and circular business models. “The Moroccan textile sector can strengthen its global position as a sustainable and reliable partner by adopting innovative business models, better complying with regulatory requirements for global export markets.”

For in-depth case studies and additional information on the Roadmap from the textile initiative in Morocco, click here.