From the Sector

On the 1st and 2nd of July, 19 textile, clothing, leather, and footwear representatives from 8 European countries gathered at Amsterdam Fashion Institute in the Netherlands to drive forward the Erasmus+ Blueprint AEQUALIS4TCLF project. This bold initiative is set to transform the TCLF industries through a strategic, educational, and social lens, paving the way for more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready sectors.

One of the project’s key deliverables is the upcoming European TCLF Skills Strategy, designed to respond to the impact on companies’ workforce of the rapidly technological, circular and social transformations. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative insights from stakeholders, ranging from businesses and policymakers to education providers, the updated strategy will inform the development of consecutive tailored national skills strategies. These strategies will then be rolled out by national project partners, with strong support from industry, education and institutional actors.

AEQUALIS4TCLF is also pioneering change in the classroom. Eight brand-new curricula focused on sustainable and digital fashion have already been developed, and then respective training content are under development. To ensure accessibility and engagement, partners are creating an array of innovative learning resources, from interactive e-books and videos to hands-on activities and assessments. All materials will be available online and free of charge, equipping learners and educators alike for the green and digital transitions.

At its heart, AEQUALIS4TCLF is also a social project. A rich programme of workshops, both online and in person, is being rolled out across all partner countries, addressing critical topics such as diversity, innovation, and wellbeing in the workplace. Meanwhile, a TCLF network-building effort is underway to boost collaboration at both local and European levels. This includes the creation of regional TCLF Pacts for Skills, tailored to the unique needs of local economies, and two European-level networks: one uniting education providers to share best practices and foster excellence, and another engaging regional public authorities in supporting TCLF education for the new era.

The AEQUALIS4TCLF project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, an international sustainable chemical company, announced it has recycled more than 150 billion post-consumer PET bottles since 2011. This significant milestone underscores the company’s long-term commitment to circular economy practices and its sustained investment in global recycling infrastructure. 

With more than 20 recycling facilities across 11 countries, supported by strong business partnerships and optimized operations, Indorama Ventures collectively recycles 789 bottles every second — transforming used PET into high-quality recycled PET (rPET) resins and other circular materials. These are used across various industries globally, supporting Indorama Ventures and its customers in achieving their sustainability goals. 

Since beginning its recycling journey in 2011, Indorama Ventures has accelerated its impact. The company reached its first major milestone of 50 billion bottles recycled in March 2020 and doubled that figure to 100 billion bottles in 2023, just three and a half years later. Now the company has reached the 150 billion mark which reflects both growing global demand for recycled content and the company’s strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation to scale up recycling at speed. 

By recycling 150 billion PET bottles, Indorama Ventures has helped avoid an estimated 3.8 million tons of CO₂ emissions over the product lifecycle and diverted 2.8 million tons of plastic waste from landfills and the environment.  

By partnering with a wide network of collection organizations, Indorama Ventures ensures a consistent supply of high-quality post-consumer PET, supporting the integrity of circular supply chains. In parallel, the company works with leading technology providers to deploy advanced recycling solutions that improve processing efficiency and reduce environmental impact. 

As global demand for recycled materials grows, Indorama Ventures reaffirms its commitment to expanding recycling capacity, investing in innovation, and working with stakeholders across the value chain to accelerate the shift toward a circular economy.