The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has presented a comprehensive roadmap for developing a circular textile value chain in Morocco. The roadmap, unveiled during a closing event on January 16, 2024, at the Casa Moda Academy in Casablanca, stems from the findings of the SwitchMed Programme pilot project. This initiative, funded by the European Union (EU), aims to reform Morocco’s textile sector by integrating circular economy principles and better chemical management practices.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including 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. The primary focus was to share results and lessons learned from the textile initiative, which has been operational since 2019.
UNIDO’s roadmap emphasizes several critical aspects for industries to consider when reusing textiles as a material in their production processes. These include ensuring the safety of the reclaimed material, determining the stage at which it was reclaimed, identifying suitable recycling technologies, determining the best end uses for 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, highlighted the significance of the roadmap. “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.”
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 using pre-consumer textile waste. Selected collections from this collaboration will be exhibited during the Milan Fashion Week at the WSM | White Sustainable Milan from February 22-26, 2024.
In 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, enhancing compliance with international market requirements.
Roberta De Palma, a Chief Technical Advisor from UNIDO, underscored 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.”
UNIDO’s collaboration with international brands, local producers, expert organizations, and national institutions has been vital in demonstrating business models that can convert textile waste into valuable resources. The SwitchMed Programme has not only laid the groundwork for a more sustainable textile industry in Morocco but also provided a blueprint for similar initiatives in other regions.
The event concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to continue working towards a sustainable and circular textile industry in Morocco, leveraging the insights and strategies developed through the SwitchMed Programme.
Source: https://switchmed.eu/
