Circular Business Model Strategies Progressing Sustainability in the German Textile Manufacturing Industry

Abstract

The EU Textile Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles calls for circularity along the whole value chain of textiles. However, little is known about how circularity is already embedded in German manufacturing textile industries due to a lack of literature. Having conducted a survey study in December 2022 and January 2023, the results of 56 participating German manufacturing textile industries will be presented by applying descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis. The study shows that there is already an understanding of circularity including circular strategies in the German textile manufacturing industry. There are companies that apply the following circular business model strategies: upcycling and recycling, product-as-a-service, repair and reuse, and material innovation. Closed-loop supply chain companies are not yet prominent. Many manufacturing textile companies are not prepared yet for a circular transformation. Another finding is that the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles is so far insufficiently known by the respondents of the sample. A more structured provision of information or financial state support should be discussed.