Portugal’s Textile Sector Drives Competitiveness with Sustainable Practices

Portugal’s textile and clothing sector is demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability, with over 2,500 companies integrating responsible practices into their operations. This dedication is not merely a trend, but is rapidly becoming a key driver of economic competitiveness, yielding measurable gains in efficiency and cost reductions, as detailed in be@t’s third Sustainability Report.

The report, released by CITEVE – Textile and Clothing Technological Centre, which leads a consortium of 60 entities within the regenerative be@t- Bioeconomy in Textiles and Clothing project (supported by the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Plan), reveals a maturing understanding and implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria. Participating companies are increasingly focused on data reporting, monitoring a wider range of indicators, and strategically analyzing the information gathered.

A significant increase in environmental certifications – a 13% rise – brings the total to 2,526. This figure is based on a representative sample of 105 companies, a 36% increase in participation since the first report, suggesting a widespread strengthening of responsible practices throughout the entire value chain.

According to Braz Costa, Director-General of CITEVE, the report’s findings are conclusive: “What this third Sustainability Report shows is clear: more companies reporting, more metrics, more transparency, more maturity.” He emphasizes that sustainability is no longer viewed as simply a marketing tool, but as “critical competitiveness infrastructure” for the sector.

The consistent progression observed when comparing this report to previous editions (published in 2023 and 2024) indicates a shift from initial assessments to a structured, sustainability-focused management model designed to enhance competitiveness. The 105 participating companies collectively employ over 15,800 individuals, solidifying sustainability as a standard practice within the industry.

The study highlights positive trends in resource management. While reporting of total renewable and non-renewable fuel consumption increased by 6%, overall consumption decreased by approximately 6%. The adoption of sustainable raw materials is also accelerating, with recycled materials now comprising over 11% of those used (a 3% increase) and organic or bio-based materials accounting for around 25% (a 4% increase).

Improvements in chemical safety are also evident, with 68% of companies reporting reduced chemical consumption – a 4 percentage point increase from 2023. Furthermore, 90% of companies are now tracking this indicator. Investment in replacing hazardous substances with safer alternatives rose to €5,576 million, although this represents a 3% decrease from the previous year.

CITEVE emphasizes that the report underscores the importance of a bioeconomy strategy in reducing reliance on external sources, promoting the use of local resources, and aligning the Portuguese textile industry with the demands of global brands and evolving European regulations.