COUNTRY PROFILE
Portugal's journey in adopting renewable energy to power its textile manufacturing industry
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A rising green leader in the global fashion industry.
The Made-in-Portugal label has become a synonym for high-quality and sustainable production. While the global fashion industry faces diverse challenges in order to build a greener future, Portugal leads the way in adopting renewable energy into its textile manufacturing processes.
Earlier this year, the European Commission announced a new set of initiatives under the European Green Deal, which directly affect the continent's textile and clothing industry. The 2030 goals make particular emphasis on circularity, recycling, durability and repairability.
Simultaneously, Portugal's clothing manufacturing industry is setting high standards, as it prioritises recycling, transparency and traceability, which include but are not limited to reducing waste and introducing renewable energy into its production processes. Portugal is changing the way garments are being made by efficiently adopting renewable energy to manufacture its textile and clothing products.
Earlier this year, the European Commission announced a new set of initiatives under the European Green Deal, which directly affect the continent's textile and clothing industry. The 2030 goals make particular emphasis on circularity, recycling, durability and repairability.
Simultaneously, Portugal's clothing manufacturing industry is setting high standards, as it prioritises recycling, transparency and traceability, which include but are not limited to reducing waste and introducing renewable energy into its production processes. Portugal is changing the way garments are being made by efficiently adopting renewable energy to manufacture its textile and clothing products.
Why does changing to renewable energy benefit clothing manufacturers?
Europe has been no stranger to the worldwide energy crisis, involving increasing energy and gas costs, affecting multiple industries and only deepened in the past three years. Transitioning to alternative and more sustainable energy sources has become imperative, especially for the textile and apparel sector.
Adopting renewable sources of energy, for example, minimizes the use of natural resources, reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and lessens dependence on the highly fluctuating (and polluting) fossil fuel market too. A change that would benefit the planet, the people and the businesses.
The textile industry is, in fact, one of the most polluting sectors in the whole world. The fashion sector only produces an estimated 80-150 billion garments annually. Indeed, the textile and clothing industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and it is the second largest worldwide water polluter (a rank directly associated with the textile dyeing industry).
Adopting renewable sources of energy, for example, minimizes the use of natural resources, reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and lessens dependence on the highly fluctuating (and polluting) fossil fuel market too. A change that would benefit the planet, the people and the businesses.
The textile industry is, in fact, one of the most polluting sectors in the whole world. The fashion sector only produces an estimated 80-150 billion garments annually. Indeed, the textile and clothing industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and it is the second largest worldwide water polluter (a rank directly associated with the textile dyeing industry).
One of the most sustainable nations in this area.
Still and all, Portugal has managed to position itself as one of the most sustainable nations in this area. You may wonder how. On a first note, the national clothing manufacturing industry started utilizing renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. Furthermore, it invested in more efficient technologies that shorten the use of water and electricity. These strategies allow Portugal to achieve its sustainability efforts: reducing its local carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels (like oil, gas and coal).
Portugal's clothing manufacturing industry has shown steady growth and increasing international recognition for its social and environmental efforts. The national textile industry, especially in the northern region, is set apart for its unique pattern creation, high-quality smart textiles and recycled fabrics, and the development and integration of water and energy-saving technologies, among others.
It also stands out for its innovation, its capacity to embrace mass production in the short term and the priority set on Corporate Social Responsibility goals. According to Mário Jorge Machado, President of the Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal (Portugal's Textile and Apparel Association):
"The Portuguese industry's vision and strategies for 2030 are completely aligned with the [European] Commission's recommendations, having sustainability as one of the most important development areas". For more information on environmental legislation, we advise you also to read the EU's new Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
Craftsmanship, prime quality, innovation and a strategic geographic location make up for Portugal's textile and clothing production, which has become highly coveted worldwide in the past years. In fact, according to Nova Junior Consulting, Portugal "has access to key waterways, consistently sunny weather (ideal for solar farms) [and] wind (perfect for windmills and other turbines)...". For instance, state-of-the-art technologies are being used to repurpose waste heat; solar panels installed on rooftops are powering entire factories, and wind turbines maximize the nation's natural resources. This plan of action has strategically positioned Portugal's clothing manufacturing industry as a pioneer in sustainable matters.
Portugal's clothing manufacturing industry has shown steady growth and increasing international recognition for its social and environmental efforts. The national textile industry, especially in the northern region, is set apart for its unique pattern creation, high-quality smart textiles and recycled fabrics, and the development and integration of water and energy-saving technologies, among others.
It also stands out for its innovation, its capacity to embrace mass production in the short term and the priority set on Corporate Social Responsibility goals. According to Mário Jorge Machado, President of the Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal (Portugal's Textile and Apparel Association):
"The Portuguese industry's vision and strategies for 2030 are completely aligned with the [European] Commission's recommendations, having sustainability as one of the most important development areas". For more information on environmental legislation, we advise you also to read the EU's new Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
Craftsmanship, prime quality, innovation and a strategic geographic location make up for Portugal's textile and clothing production, which has become highly coveted worldwide in the past years. In fact, according to Nova Junior Consulting, Portugal "has access to key waterways, consistently sunny weather (ideal for solar farms) [and] wind (perfect for windmills and other turbines)...". For instance, state-of-the-art technologies are being used to repurpose waste heat; solar panels installed on rooftops are powering entire factories, and wind turbines maximize the nation's natural resources. This plan of action has strategically positioned Portugal's clothing manufacturing industry as a pioneer in sustainable matters.
Benefits and challenges of adopting renewable energy.
A shift towards clean, renewable energy sources might raise uncertainty on quality and durability. However, Portugal's textile and clothing production is nowhere near that scenario. Far from being compromised, the Made-in-Portugal label has remained a symbol of fine quality, ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
The local industry sets a leading example in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, as well as the development of less wasteful production processes. Replacing conventional energy sources with renewable ones has had a profound, positive impact on Portugal's textile products.
The adoption of renewable sources of energy shortcuts the dependency on fossil fuels, presents long-term cost savings, and attracts both social and environmentally-conscious consumers and investors.
However, it also creates new challenges. On the one hand, embracing renewable energy requires creating efficient energy storage solutions that guarantee uninterrupted production, a problem often related to solar and wind-powered technologies. On the other hand, this transition also demands considerable investment, which comes accompanied by the fact that return is not always immediate.
Lastly, in line with "Sustainability as a Gateway to Textile International Markets: the Portuguese Case", some companies experienced the price increase for the final consumer as the biggest problem of all.
The local industry sets a leading example in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, as well as the development of less wasteful production processes. Replacing conventional energy sources with renewable ones has had a profound, positive impact on Portugal's textile products.
The adoption of renewable sources of energy shortcuts the dependency on fossil fuels, presents long-term cost savings, and attracts both social and environmentally-conscious consumers and investors.
However, it also creates new challenges. On the one hand, embracing renewable energy requires creating efficient energy storage solutions that guarantee uninterrupted production, a problem often related to solar and wind-powered technologies. On the other hand, this transition also demands considerable investment, which comes accompanied by the fact that return is not always immediate.
Lastly, in line with "Sustainability as a Gateway to Textile International Markets: the Portuguese Case", some companies experienced the price increase for the final consumer as the biggest problem of all.
What does the future look like for clothing manufacturing in Portugal?
Portugal has remained truthful to its efforts to embrace sustainability and greener energy sources, and nowadays, the local clothing manufacturing industry highly benefits from said strategy. Again, it is not just the businesses benefiting from this change but also local communities.
Portuguese textile products are now recognized worldwide for their fine quality and are associated with ethical and eco-friendly production processes. Embracing solar and wind energy in its manufacturing sector and investing in more efficient machinery has given Portugal a leading position in lowering its environmental footprint.
Portugal's clothing manufacturers have come a long way, yet they continue to innovate, evolve, and progress in their efforts to achieve higher sustainable and ethical standards.
Portuguese textile products are now recognized worldwide for their fine quality and are associated with ethical and eco-friendly production processes. Embracing solar and wind energy in its manufacturing sector and investing in more efficient machinery has given Portugal a leading position in lowering its environmental footprint.
Portugal's clothing manufacturers have come a long way, yet they continue to innovate, evolve, and progress in their efforts to achieve higher sustainable and ethical standards.
- Dana Stefan, 2022, Why Portugal's sustainability journey is a model for the EU textile industry
- Apparel resources News Desk, 2022, Rising energy costs are pushing textile and apparel companies to shut production
- Portugal Textile, 2023, The Portuguese textile industry leads in sustainability
- Moreira, Galvao, Braga, Teixeira; 2023; Sustainability as a Gateway to Textile International Markets: The Portuguese Case
- Nova Junior Consulting, 2023, Portugal as a Conduit to Support the European Green Hydrogen Transition
- Giulia Carbonaro, 2022, Energy bills are soaring in Europe. This is what countries are doing to help you pay them
- European Commission, Renewable energy targets
- Arthur Neslen, 2016, Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone
- Mariana Costa, Why Responsible Brands Are Choosing Northern Portugal to Manufacture Garments
- Scarlett Buckley, 2022, The Textile Industry's Transition to Renewable Energy
- United Nations, What is renewable energy?
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