Denim brands steer UNIDO’s Tunisia plan
13/05/2024
During a closing event in Tunis, UNIDO presented a “roadmap” on how to include pre-consumer and post-industrial textile waste in manufacturing after a study found more than 31,000 tons of pre-consumer textile waste are generated annually in the country.
Rym Jelassi, general coordinator from the Tunisian Textile and Clothing Federation (FTTH), said the organisation will work with public companies and operators in the sector to implement this roadmap, to meet the demands of international brands and improve textile/clothing production and exports.
One successful pilot project involved a collaboration between UNIDO, Swedish denim brand Nudie Jeans, and its Tunisian supply chain partner, Denim Authority. Together, they validated a recycling business scenario that resulted in the production of 96,000 pairs of new jeans made from 20% recycled cotton sourced from second-quality jeans.
Two similar pilot projects with Diesel and Calvin Klein Jeans underlined the impact of circular business models by locally sorting cutting waste from the jeans production.
Diesel has manufactured 88,000 pairs of jeans, while Calvin Klein Jeans has placed orders for 40,000 pairs incorporating 20% recycled content from cutting scraps.
In total, the three pilots have used 68,000 tons of waste, leading to the production of 224,000 pairs of new jeans with 20% recycled content.
Additionally, UNIDO partnered with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation to promote the phase-out of hazardous chemicals in Tunisia’s textile industry. Through training and capacity-building activities, the initiative facilitated the adoption of safer chemicals, enhancing material recovery and compliance with international standards.
Roberta De Palma, chief technical advisor at UNIDO, said: “The Tunisian textile sector can strengthen its global position as a sustainable and reliable partner by adopting circular and more innovative business models and better complying with regulatory requirements for global export markets.”
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