Towards a fossil free clothing industry

Karin  Peters; Paulien  Harmsen; Mariangela Lavanga; Nout Knabben; Cynthia  van Zwol; Nahal  Akbarian; Leneke  Pfeiffer

doi:10.18174/700628

Towards a fossil free clothing industry

Karin Peters^*
, Paulien Harmsen
, Mariangela Lavanga
, Nout Knabben
, Cynthia van Zwol
, Nahal Akbarian
, Leneke Pfeiffer

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Arts and Culture Studies

Wageningen University & Research
Manufy
WWF Netherlands
Wetenschapswinkel

Research output: Book/Report/Inaugural speech/Farewell speech › Report › Academic

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Abstract

The transition to a fossil-free clothing industry is not an easy or quick process. And while there are positive developments, there are also many obstacles holding back the transition. Three main concerns are identified:
First, the old system is still dominant. Retailers focus too much on profits and consumers do not want to buy less and/or pay more. Low prices and high volumes makes it difficult for small entrepreneurs to scale up.
Second, recycling is positive but not a sustainable solution. Moreover, about 2/3 of all textiles produced are unsuitable for recycling because of different fibres.
Third, fossil-free materials are expensive and quality/comfort (including insufficient (stable) supply of raw materials). More innovation and therefore more money is needed, yet this is insufficiently recognized in policy and subsidies although there are specific EU programs.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Wageningen
Commissioning body	Club Kakatua / The Restoration Club
Number of pages	47
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.18174/700628
Publication status	Published - 2025

Publication series

Series	Wageningen Science Shop report
Number	411

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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ESHCC A&CS

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10.18174/700628Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

2025-Peters-..-Lavanga-..Towards_a_fossil_free_clothing_industryFinal published version, 2.48 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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AU - van Zwol , Cynthia

AU - Akbarian, Nahal

AU - Pfeiffer , Leneke

PY - 2025

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N2 - The transition to a fossil-free clothing industry is not an easy or quick process. And while there are positive developments, there are also many obstacles holding back the transition. Three main concerns are identified: First, the old system is still dominant. Retailers focus too much on profits and consumers do not want to buy less and/or pay more. Low prices and high volumes makes it difficult for small entrepreneurs to scale up. Second, recycling is positive but not a sustainable solution. Moreover, about 2/3 of all textiles produced are unsuitable for recycling because of different fibres. Third, fossil-free materials are expensive and quality/comfort (including insufficient (stable) supply of raw materials). More innovation and therefore more money is needed, yet this is insufficiently recognized in policy and subsidies although there are specific EU programs.

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BT - Towards a fossil free clothing industry

CY - Wageningen

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Towards a fossil free clothing industry

Abstract

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UN SDGs

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