Ministry of Trade Recognizes ETHİB's Sustainability-Focused UR-GE Project
The "Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Consultancy" activity, carried out within the scope of the UR-GE Project "Developing Sustainable Competitiveness in the Textile Sector" run by the Aegean Exporters' Association of Textiles and Raw Materials (ETHİB), was selected as a "Good Practice Example" and awarded at the "Responsible – Responsibility and International Competitiveness Summit" organized by the Ministry of Trade.
The "Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Consultancy" activity carried out under the UR-GE Project "Development of Sustainable Competitiveness in the Textile Sector," led by Ege Tekstil ve Hammaddeleri İhracatçıları Birliği (ETHİB), was selected as a "Best Practice Example" at the "Responsible – Responsibility and International Competition Summit" organized by the Ministry of Commerce and awarded recognition.
The award was presented to ETHİB Board Chair Turan Göksan by Minister of Commerce Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and Deputy Minister of Commerce Özgür Volkan Ağar.
SUSTAINABILITY COMPETENCIES OF 17 COMPANIES DEVELOPED
ETHİB Board Chair Turan Göksan stated that the UR-GE Project, launched in 2021, was implemented with the aim of adapting to global sustainability transformation, particularly the European Green Deal.
Göksan noted that the project aimed to develop the capacities of 17 companies in sustainable production, carbon management, energy efficiency and circular textiles, and said that companies received consultancy services in energy efficiency, corporate carbon footprint management, environmental management systems and life cycle assessment.
COMPANIES GAINED COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Within the scope of the LCA Consultancy that was recognized, product life cycle analyses compliant with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards were conducted for each company.
Within the scope of the work, a product-based "Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessment" was performed for each company, with different scenarios analyzed and reported. Through the project, companies integrated sustainable production approaches into their business processes, developed action plans to reduce carbon emissions and gained competitive advantage in international markets.
Göksan noted that many companies shared the prepared LCA reports with their customers and achieved significant gains in marketing their products.
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN THE NETHERLANDS EXAMINED
As part of the project, an international marketing and inspection delegation program to the Netherlands was organized to examine best practice examples in sustainability and circular textiles on site.
Companies participated in the Circular Textile Days event and had the opportunity to examine current practices in Europe and sectoral transformation processes.
In training programs organized by ETHİB on 18-19 February 2025, practical training was provided on carbon footprint, product carbon footprint, water footprint and life cycle assessment.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY OUR COMPANIES"
Emphasizing that sustainability-focused transformation holds critical importance for the future of the textile sector, Turan Göksan stated that they will continue to support exporting companies in their adaptation to new global regulations such as the European Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Göksan expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Commerce for the support it provided to promote sustainable production practices and strengthen exporters' position in global competition.
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