Circularity Materials

The textile industry has become more sustainable, but textile consumption is increasing

A study by VITO, commissioned by the European Environment Agency (EEA), sheds new light on the challenges the European Union faces in achieving sustainable textile consumption. Despite efforts to make the textile industry more sustainable, per capita consumption has risen from 17 kg in 2019 to 19 kg in 2022. This highlights the urgent need for systemic changes in the sector, with a focus on better quality, longer product lifespans, reuse, repair, and recycling.

Press release Tom Duhoux 26 March 2025

Despite clear efficiency improvements in the textile sector over the past 15 years, the study concludes that higher consumption largely offsets potential environmental benefits. Each EU citizen purchases an average of 19 kg of new textile products annually, roughly equivalent to a large suitcase full of clothing. In 2019, this figure was 17 kg. This increase of 2 kg per person in just three years highlights the growing consumption trend in the EU textile market.

Compared to other consumption sectors such as food, mobility, housing, or hospitality, the environmental impact of textile consumption ranks on average in fifth place. This assessment considers resource use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water and land consumption. In 2022, the production of textiles for the EU market required 234 million tonnes of raw materials, equating to 523 kg per person.

Growing waste problem

In addition to new textile consumption, significant amounts of textiles are also discarded. In 2022, 16 kg of textile waste was generated per person. On average, only 15% is collected separately in Europe, meaning the majority of discarded textiles were either incinerated or sent to landfill. This underscores the need for improved recycling and reuse systems within the EU.

Digitalisation: opportunities and risks

The EU textile industry is a crucial economic sector, generating a turnover of €170 billion in 2023 and employing approximately 1.3 million people across 197,000 companies. The sector has recovered from the pandemic and, by 2022, reached pre-pandemic production levels. Despite efficiency improvements between 2010 and 2022, rising consumption levels have negated potential environmental benefits.

New technologies such as the Internet of Things, AI, and big data analytics offer opportunities for enhanced efficiency and innovation in the textile industry. However, the rise of online sales and fast fashion—facilitated by digitalisation—also presents new challenges regarding sustainability and overconsumption. This illustrates the complexity of making the textile industry more sustainable within a growing market.

Towards a systemic transition in the textile sector

A key conclusion of the study is the need for a systemic shift to achieve the EU’s ambitions for sustainable textiles. This transition should focus on:

Producing high-quality products with a longer lifespan.
Encouraging reuse and repair.
Enhancing recycling opportunities.
Promoting conscious consumption.

The EEA Circular Metrics Lab will monitor the circularity and sustainability of the textile value chain annually to track progress and inform policymakers.

Read the full study for in-depth insights, recommendations, and detailed statistics on the EU textile market.