Setting the Stage: A New Era for Waste
Official Report
Panel Discussion: Road to Revenue for Textile Waste
CMAI FAB Show 2025
Introduction
The CMAI FAB Show 2025 featured a high-impact panel discussion titled “Road to Revenue for Textile Waste,” bringing together prominent voices from across the textile and apparel industry to discuss the commercial and environmental potential of sustainable waste management.
The discussion focused on how circularity, decarbonization, and innovative thinking can turn textile waste from a burden into a revenue-generating opportunity. The session highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts, policy support, and investment in infrastructure to enable a more sustainable and economically viable future for the industry.
Featured Panelists
-
Chinky Tyagi Khare – Green Story
-
Manohar Samuel – SU.RE
-
Parvinder Singh – GATS
-
Kushagra Bansal – KS Spinning Mills
-
Atin Gupta – Bestseller
-
Darshan Gajare – Reliance Brands
Each panelist brought a unique perspective, contributing valuable insights into how their organizations are addressing textile waste and identifying opportunities to integrate sustainability into their core operations.
Key Themes Discussed
Reframing Textile Waste as a Resource
The discussion emphasized a shift in mindset—from viewing textile waste as a problem to recognizing it as a valuable input for circular business models. Speakers highlighted the importance of sorting, processing, and repurposing waste to create new revenue streams.
Designing for Circularity
Panelists stressed the need for integrating sustainability into product design. This includes selecting recyclable materials, enabling disassembly, and planning for end-of-life recovery. Design for circularity is fast becoming a foundational strategy for future-ready brands.
Technology and Innovation
Advancements in recycling technology, reverse logistics, and material innovation were discussed as crucial enablers of textile waste transformation. Collaborative R&D and pilot initiatives are paving the way for scalable solutions.
The Role of Collaboration
The panel agreed that no single stakeholder can address the waste challenge in isolation. Partnerships between brands, manufacturers, recyclers, and policymakers are essential to build a fully functional circular textile ecosystem.
Challenges to Address
The discussion also acknowledged key hurdles, including insufficient waste management infrastructure, limited consumer engagement, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks. Organizational mindset and cultural shifts are equally necessary to move beyond compliance and toward commitment.
Way Forward
The panel concluded with a shared vision for the future: an industry where textile waste is not discarded, but harnessed—fueling innovation, supporting livelihoods, and contributing to a sustainable global economy.
The CMAI FAB Show 2025 successfully spotlighted the urgent need to redefine waste as a value driver. This dialogue marks a pivotal step toward fostering a more circular and profitable future for the Indian textile sector and beyond.
