Sustainable Competitiveness in the Textile Sector

Sustainable Competition in the Textile Sector The textile sector, among Turkey's highest value-added export sectors, continues efforts to increase sustainable exports in the Aegean Region. Ege Tekstil ve Hammaddeleri İhracatçıları Birliği (ETHİB) is implementing the "Developing Sustainable Competition in the Textile Sector" URGE project with support from the Ministry of Trade, enabling 18 member companies to enhance their capacities within the sustainability theme. Noting that 2021 was a year in which monthly textile export records were broken, Coordinator Chairman of Ege Exporters' Associations and Chairman of the Board of Ege Tekstil ve Hammaddeleri İhracatçıları Birliği Jak Eskinazi continued: "In 2022, our exports declined particularly due to economic slowdown and reduced demand in our main markets. During this period when demand is declining and competition is increasing, the issues that will set us apart continue to be sustainability, digitalisation, quality and value-added production. Consumer demand related to sustainability will continue to increase, and demand for products made from sustainable fibres continues to be reflected in orders from our foreign buyers. As an association, we continue our activities in this direction." he said.

Energy Efficiency, Corporate Carbon Footprint, Environmental Management System

Eskinazi stated: "With support from the Ministry of Trade, we are implementing the 'Developing Sustainable Competition in the Textile Sector URGE Project' with the participation of 18 companies. Within the scope of our project, we are providing energy efficiency consulting services to 6 companies, conducting corporate carbon footprint consulting activities with 9 companies under ISO 14064, and providing ISO 14001 environmental management system consulting services to 5 companies. Particularly because brands and customers operating in our main markets place special importance on this matter, our project aims to ensure that our companies are more technically competent in this area and are prepared for the framework conditions that will affect the sector's dynamics in the coming period, including alignment with Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal." he said.

All Cotton Produced in Turkey is GMO-Free

Jak Eskinazi stated: "As consumer demand related to sustainability increases and demand for products made from sustainable fibres is reflected in orders from our foreign buyers, we have significant advantages as a country, particularly in cotton. We operate in a region with intensive high-quality cotton production. We are in a region where sustainable cotton production such as organic cotton, better cotton and regenerative cotton is conducted extensively. We have reached the position of the world's 6th largest cotton producer as of the 2022/23 season. Turkey ranks second globally after India in organic cotton production, and an important point is that all cotton produced in Turkey is GMO-free cotton." he said.

Turkish Cotton Branded as "GMO Free Turkish Cotton"

Eskinazi, emphasising that Turkey is one of the rare countries producing GMO-free cotton, stated that only Turkey, Greece and Spain produce GMO-free cotton in the world. "However, in terms of textile production, Turkey stands out among other countries. In order to transfer the GMO-free Turkish Cotton "GMO Free Turkish Cotton" brand to Turkish textile products, the company GMO'suz Pamuk A.Ş. was established, and the Certification Mark registered with the "GMO FREE Turkish Cotton" designation has been made available for use by all sectors. In this way, Turkey created an exclusive brand for the textile sector, increasing its competitive advantage and thus providing Turkish cotton production with a preferred status."

We Will Focus on International Promotion of Our GMO FREE Turkish Cotton Brand

Jak Eskinazi stated: "We launched the GMO Free Turkish Cotton brand on 9 December 2022 with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. In the process ahead, we will continue efforts to both focus on international promotion of our brand and ensure it is more widely adopted by our sector. Additionally, to increase our exports in 2023, within the framework of our Ministry's strategy for distant markets, we aim to diversify export markets, become acquainted with new geographies and strengthen the competitive structure by meeting the needs of producers and consumers at every point in the world." he said. Initiatives Related to Sustainability Policies in Textiles Will Increase Jak Eskinazi said: "In 2023, many new tools will be used that place digitalisation and sustainability at the centre to achieve our targets. Effort is needed for adaptation and awareness of companies other than large enterprises regarding adaptation to rapidly developing technology. In 2023, initiatives related to sustainability policies in our sector will increase, and the upward trend in demand for recycled and sustainable fibres will continue."