Primus Partners And Maharashtra Govt Unveil US$ 3.5 Bn Roadmap For Zero-Waste Fashion In India

Primus Partners, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, has released a thought leadership report outlining a strategic roadmap for establishing a zero-waste textile industry in India by 2047. The report, titled “Making India a Zero-Waste Fashion Country,” was presented by Minister of Textiles Sanjay Savkare at Bharat Tex 2025, with Maharashtra serving as the Knowledge Partner.

The report provides a comprehensive framework integrating sustainability, circular economy principles and resource efficiency across the textile value chain—from farm to foreign markets. The opportunity to address textile waste is estimated at US$ 3.5 billion over the next five years, necessitating robust policy support, industry collaboration and active consumer engagement.

Prominent dignitaries from Maharashtra, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Industry Minister Uday Samant, Textile Minister Sanjay Savkare, and Principal Secretary of the Textiles, Cooperation, Marketing, and Textiles Department, Anshu Sinha, contributed invaluable insights to the report. They reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming India’s textile sector through sustainability and circular economy initiatives. Additionally, insights from government officials, industry leaders, and academics provided a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in making India a global leader in zero-waste fashion.

Highlighting Maharashtra’s proactive role, Virendra Singh, Secretary of Public Health and former Secretary of Textiles, outlined the state’s initiatives to promote sustainable practices. He emphasized key measures such as fiscal incentives, research programmes and skill development efforts designed to encourage the sector’s transition towards a greener and more competitive future.

The report presents an in-depth analysis of the key barriers hindering the adoption of sustainable practices, based on industry and consumer surveys. Identified challenges include financial constraints, limited adoption of green technologies, skill shortages, low awareness and demand for sustainable products and fragmented policies. Additionally, the rise of ultra-fast fashion, driven by social media trends, has exacerbated the issue of textile waste.

To ensure sustainability at every stage of the textile value chain, the report integrates the 5F Approach – Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion, and Foreign. This holistic strategy promotes organic farming, eco-friendly fibre production, waste-reducing manufacturing techniques, circular fashion principles and alignment with global sustainability standards. By addressing these key challenges, the framework aims to position India as a leader in sustainable textiles while minimizing environmental impact.

Key recommendations outlined in the report include:

• Financial incentives and support: Subsidies for green initiatives and the establishment of a dedicated fund for circular economy projects.
• Enhanced textile waste management: Creation of Textile Waste Collection Centres to improve waste infrastructure and market development.
• Strengthening policies and regulations: Development of a National Policy for Sustainable Textiles and implementation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme for the sector.
• Transparency and awareness: Revision of textile labeling regulations, public education campaigns on eco-friendly fashion and skill development initiatives to drive India’s leadership in zero-waste fashion.

Expressing his optimism for the future of India’s textile industry, Kanishk Maheshwari, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Primus Partners stated, “We are incredibly optimistic about India’s textile industry and deeply grateful for the invaluable support of Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and the many accomplished industrial leaders and academicians. With their backing, we are not just envisioning a zero-waste future—we are making it a reality. Addressing India’s textile waste problem requires a comprehensive approach, including the establishment of a unified B2B digital marketplace for pre-consumer waste, consumer education, revised textile labeling and skill development. The introduction of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme will be transformative, holding producers accountable for the lifecycle of their products and positioning India at the forefront of a sustainable, circular economy.”