The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has successfully concluded its textile value chain projects in Tunisia, marking a significant step towards a circular and competitive textile industry. At a closing event in Tunis on April 24, UNIDO unveiled a comprehensive Roadmap aimed at transforming the Tunisian textile sector through sustainable practices and circular economy principles.
Significant Pilot Projects and Achievements
Industry pilot projects under the initiative demonstrated the practicality of circular economy principles, converting 68,000 tons of cutting waste into 224,000 pairs of jeans, each containing 20% recycled content. One notable collaboration involved UNIDO, the Swedish denim brand Nudie Jeans, and Tunisian supply chain partner Denim Authority. This partnership resulted in the production of 96,000 pairs of jeans made from recycled cotton sourced from second-quality jeans. Similar successful projects with Diesel and Calvin Klein Jeans further underscored the feasibility of circular business models, producing 88,000 and 40,000 pairs of jeans, respectively, from cutting scraps.
Roadmap for Sustainable Practices
The Roadmap presented by UNIDO provides detailed recommendations for valorizing pre-consumer and post-industrial textile waste in Tunisia. According to a waste mapping study commissioned by UNIDO, over 31,000 tons of pre-consumer textile waste are generated annually in Tunisia, primarily from cutting scraps and garment overproduction. The Roadmap aims to address these challenges by promoting sustainable business models, enhancing chemical management practices, and fostering circular economy principles.
Partnerships and Future Plans
Rym Jelassi, General Coordinator from the Tunisian Textile and Clothing Federation (FTTH), emphasized the importance of the Roadmap in developing the industry and meeting international demands. FTTH will collaborate with public companies and sector operators to implement the Roadmap’s recommendations, aiming to improve production and exportation to the EU and other markets.
Environmental and Regulatory Impact
UNIDO also partnered with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation to eliminate hazardous chemicals from Tunisia’s textile industry. Training and capacity-building activities have facilitated the adoption of safer chemicals, enhancing material recovery and compliance with international standards.
Roberta De Palma, Chief Technical Advisor at UNIDO, highlighted the potential of the Tunisian textile sector to strengthen its global position by adopting circular and innovative business models. “The Tunisian textile sector can strengthen its global position as a sustainable and reliable partner by adopting circular and more innovative business models and better complying with regulatory requirements for global export markets,” she stated.
The outcomes of these pilot projects and the strategic Roadmap provide practical guidelines for industry stakeholders, paving the way for a sustainable and circular textile industry in Tunisia.
Source: switchmed.eu
 has successfully concluded its textile value chain projects in Tunisia ...){kind=link}