**India**: The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India has launched the SU.RE website and Sustainable Supply Chain Directory, aiding the apparel industry in adopting eco-friendly practices and facilitating responsible sourcing as part of a broader commitment to sustainable fashion.
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has unveiled the SU.RE website alongside the SU.RE Sustainable Supply Chain Directory, a significant advancement in India’s sustainable fashion landscape. This initiative aims to support the Indian apparel industry in its shift towards more environmentally friendly practices. The launch took place at Bharat Tex 2025, an event that underscores the industry’s commitment to sustainability.
The SU.RE website acts as a broad platform designed to assist brands, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in making the transition to sustainable practices more efficient. It offers a wealth of educational resources, insightful case studies, and updates on news within the sector, highlighting the efforts of industry leaders committed to sustainability. Notably, the Sustainable Supply Chain Directory features over 600 verified vendors specializing in key categories such as fabric manufacturing, recycling, sustainable packaging, and certification, thereby facilitating responsible sourcing for brands.
Developed in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability (GATS), the SU.RE Sustainable Supply Chain Directory aims to streamline connections between fashion brands and eco-conscious suppliers. This connection is vital as the Indian sustainable fashion market is expected to witness exponential growth, projected to increase from ₹2,700 crore in FY24 to ₹25,000 crore by FY30, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45%.
Sustainability has become a pressing issue for the fashion industry, which faces numerous environmental and ethical challenges. A report highlights that washing clothes approximately 200 times a year consumes nearly 15,000 litres of water and energy, yet less than half of textile waste is recycled or remanufactured. To mitigate these impacts, the emphasis on responsible sourcing and ethical manufacturing is considered essential.
The SU.RE initiative, which stands for Sustainable Resolution, represents India’s largest voluntary commitment to sustainability within the apparel sector and has been active since 2019. It is a collaborative effort involving CMAI, Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), and the United Nations in India. The initiative promotes responsible sourcing, eco-friendly materials, and ethical manufacturing through a comprehensive five-point manifesto:
- Environmental Awareness: Educating stakeholders on the ecological impact of garment production.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Emphasising the importance of certified raw materials that positively impact the environment.
- Responsible Decision-Making: Ensuring sustainability across the value chain through traceable, renewable materials and processes.
- Transparent Communication: Engaging consumers and the media through product labelling, social media, and in-store messaging.
- Long-Term Commitment: Aiming for a substantial shift towards sustainability by 2030 as part of combating climate change and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With the introduction of the SU.RE website and the Sustainable Supply Chain Directory, CMAI is providing brands with the necessary tools and resources to not only facilitate sustainable practices but to also enact meaningful change within the fashion industry. As the sector moves forward, the emphasis on sustainability is expected to play an increasingly central role in shaping its future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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