Application of Closed-Loop Textile-to-Textile Systems of SMEs in the Nordic Garment Industry
Anttonen, Roope (2021)
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021120824395
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021120824395
Tiivistelmä
It is well acknowledged that the textile industry is encountering a variety of global sustainability challenges. Whereas the environmental damage caused by the industry will affect its players' future competitive aspects and prospects of continuation, the industry is now seeking material flows from new sources. Furthermore, the European Union initiatives drive textiles companies to adopt new circular processes to their supply chains. Therefore, the thesis aimed to discover the Nordic garment small and medium sized enterprises' capabilities to organize a closed-loop textile-to-textile supply chain.
The theoretical framework of this thesis examines circular economy, closed-loop, and linear supply chain models. In addition, the diverse global effects of the textiles industry are explored to further the comprehension of the complexity of the operating environment and its influences. The framework is built to establish a broad understanding of diverse approaches to the textiles industry ecosystems. Stakeholders influencing this and initiatives of governing bodies were taken into account in building the framework. Waste generated material flows are crucial to the subject, and therefore reverse logistics and extended producer responsibility are examined.
This research-based thesis studied the impact of different influencers on the application of the circular textiles economy systems. The methodology of the research was a systematic literature review using qualitative meta-synthesis content analysis. A total of 20 different reports and large-scale studies were synthesized in the study to varying degrees.
The key findings of the research revealed that Nordic garment small and medium sized enterprises have growing opportunities to operate closed-loop textile-to-textile supply chains. However, different drivers, enablers, and barriers influence the application. The research discovered which of these are the most relevant factors. The drivers for creating a closed-loop system, either organizational, institutional, or consumer viewpoint, were found to have many similarities with the enablers. The enablers comprise factors relating to the infrastructure, market situation and characteristics, and societal structures. The SMEs were recognized to have various incentives to apply closed-loop textile-to-textile systems in their supply chains. However, the infrastructure and the utilization of a circular economy ecosystem are still relatively undeveloped. The research identified inefficiencies in sorting and recycling operations and technology and scaling a new circular approach in the textiles industry. The introduction of new initiatives and regulatory frameworks, such as extended producer responsibility, contributes to the growth and efficiency of textile recycling systems. Thus, it has an impact on the prevalence of textile-to-textile closed-loop processes for Nordic garment comanies.
The theoretical framework of this thesis examines circular economy, closed-loop, and linear supply chain models. In addition, the diverse global effects of the textiles industry are explored to further the comprehension of the complexity of the operating environment and its influences. The framework is built to establish a broad understanding of diverse approaches to the textiles industry ecosystems. Stakeholders influencing this and initiatives of governing bodies were taken into account in building the framework. Waste generated material flows are crucial to the subject, and therefore reverse logistics and extended producer responsibility are examined.
This research-based thesis studied the impact of different influencers on the application of the circular textiles economy systems. The methodology of the research was a systematic literature review using qualitative meta-synthesis content analysis. A total of 20 different reports and large-scale studies were synthesized in the study to varying degrees.
The key findings of the research revealed that Nordic garment small and medium sized enterprises have growing opportunities to operate closed-loop textile-to-textile supply chains. However, different drivers, enablers, and barriers influence the application. The research discovered which of these are the most relevant factors. The drivers for creating a closed-loop system, either organizational, institutional, or consumer viewpoint, were found to have many similarities with the enablers. The enablers comprise factors relating to the infrastructure, market situation and characteristics, and societal structures. The SMEs were recognized to have various incentives to apply closed-loop textile-to-textile systems in their supply chains. However, the infrastructure and the utilization of a circular economy ecosystem are still relatively undeveloped. The research identified inefficiencies in sorting and recycling operations and technology and scaling a new circular approach in the textiles industry. The introduction of new initiatives and regulatory frameworks, such as extended producer responsibility, contributes to the growth and efficiency of textile recycling systems. Thus, it has an impact on the prevalence of textile-to-textile closed-loop processes for Nordic garment comanies.