Fashion For Good, Arvind Launch Future Forward Factories To Slash Textile Emissions

Fashion for Good and Arvind Limited have jointly announced the launch of Future Forward Factories India, an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming Tier 2 textile factories into models of sustainability and economic viability. The project consists of two key components: creating an open-source blueprint for sustainable textile manufacturing and constructing a pioneering physical facility that will bring these innovations to life. The new facility, to be developed in Gujarat, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 93% compared to conventional operations.

Tier 2 factories, which form the backbone of the textile supply chain, account for over half of the industry’s CO2 emissions and most water and chemical usage. Future Forward Factories aims to address these critical environmental challenges by offering a modular, scalable blueprint that can be adopted industry-wide.

Arvind’s upcoming facility will serve as a living example of these principles, operating as India’s first near net-zero textile production center for cotton woven and knit fabrics. The factory is projected to save approximately 60 liters of water per kilogram of fabric and deliver significant reductions in energy consumption and chemical usage. To bridge financial gaps in implementing these advanced technologies, the project will seek gap/bridge funding and explore subsidies, grants, and incentives.

Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, emphasized the urgency of the industry’s sustainability journey, “By developing a practical blueprint and partnering with Arvind to build a facility that addresses Tier 2 manufacturing challenges, we can showcase real-world solutions that drive systemic change.”

The blueprint will incorporate multiple environmental and social strategies, including:

• Near net-zero operations through renewable energy and advanced processing technologies
• Water-positive practices by minimizing freshwater use and adopting waterless printing methods
• Compliance with ZDHC level 3 chemical management standards, with innovative processes reducing chemical consumption
• Improved wastewater quality through novel treatment approaches, lessening the need for extensive wastewater treatment
• A framework for a Just Transition to ensure worker well-being during the adoption of climate-friendly technologies

Punit Lalbhai, Vice Chairman of Arvind Limited, highlighted the company’s commitment, “As a leader in textiles, Arvind is proud to pioneer sustainable manufacturing practices. This initiative will demonstrate how scalable technologies can address the sector’s most pressing environmental issues.”

The initiative has garnered support from funders including Laudes Foundation, Apparel Impact Institute, and IDH, along with partners Bluwin, Wazir Advisors, Grant Thornton Bharat, and Sattva Consulting.

Future Forward Factories was unveiled at the Global Fashion Summit 2025, with the open-source blueprint set for public release in September 2025. The project invites other suppliers to collaborate in developing additional blueprints tailored to diverse manufacturing setups, expanding sustainable innovations across the industry.