The European Union has been actively holding discussions on the Clean Industrial Deal, aimed at bolstering European industry amidst energy cost surges. It also aims to create a global competitive pressure, and it has drawn responses from the fashion and textile sectors.
According to reports, the deal prioritises six key areas, including affordable energy, demand promotion for clean products, financing the clean transition, circular economy and material access, global entrepreneurship, skills, and quality jobs, with a focus on energy-intensive and clean-tech industries.
The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) has acknowledged the Clean Industrial Deal as a vital framework for enhancing industrial competitiveness. However, they’ve cautioned that the European textile industry remains vulnerable without immediate and focused actions.
Euratex discussed the challenges such as high energy prices, intricate regulations, and unfair competition from non-EU standard-compliant imports. President Mario Jorge Machado has called for a comprehensive support package tailored to the textile industry.
Lenzing AG, a textile company, also released a statement regarding the Clean Industrial Deal, emphasising the need for continued support for Europe’s green leadership. CEO Rohit Aggarwal highlighted the urgency for joint action in response to international trade tensions, volatile energy markets, and the push for industrial decarbonisation. He stressed the importance of supporting those who invest in sustainability and translating ambitions into concrete results, acknowledging the Deal’s role in strengthening Europe’s net-zero industry and enhancing industrial competitiveness.
