In a recent interview, Mr. Alex Zucchi, President of CEMATEX, addressed the growing debate around sustainability policies in the textile industry, stressing the need for a global, realistic, and phased approach rather than rigid deadlines.
Zucchi noted that awareness of European Union sustainability policies has significantly increased across the industry. According to him, clear strategies are already in place, supported by dedicated commissions working on long-term objectives. However, aligning perspectives across such a complex and global industry remains a major challenge. “We must consider the entire ecosystem,” he emphasized, warning against repeating mistakes seen in other sectors where unrealistic targets were imposed without sufficient transition time.
A Global Challenge Beyond Europe
Zucchi highlighted the growing imbalance between textile production and consumption, particularly in Europe. Current figures show a massive surplus, with more than 14.5 million tons of textile products exceeding demand. Of this volume, only a small portion is recycled, while a significant amount is either incinerated or remains unmanaged. This imbalance, he warned, cannot be solved by regulation alone—it requires structural change across the entire value chain.
He stressed that sustainability cannot be treated as a Europe-only obligation. Europe accounts for roughly 7% of global pollution, while countries such as China contribute a far larger share. Applying strict rules solely within Europe, Zucchi explained, would be ineffective and potentially damaging. Instead, Europe must lead by example while actively transferring knowledge, technology, and best practices to other producing regions.
Also Read: CEMATEX President Calls for a Global, Realistic Transition Toward Textile Sustainability
According to Zucchi, this transition must focus on gradually changing production culture—reducing waste, limiting overproduction, and drastically cutting pollution. At the same time, improving skills, production standards, and quality of life in manufacturing countries should be seen as part of the solution, not a side effect.
While acknowledging that the transformation will not be easy, Zucchi expressed cautious optimism. He pointed out that despite current difficulties, many industry players still believe meaningful progress is possible. However, he cautioned against setting fixed deadlines without adequate preparation, noting that premature enforcement could lead to disruption rather than improvement.
He also underlined the importance of clearly distinguishing between textile manufacturers and textile machinery producers. “Machinery makers are enablers of change,” Zucchi said, emphasizing that advanced machinery and technology will play a critical role in enabling sustainable production worldwide
