Co-realised by World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF-Turkey ) and East Aegean Development Agency (GEKA), the project bring together textile manufacturers in the regions as well as global textile brands, financial institutions and local stakeholders for Büyük Menderes.
Within the scope of 'Promoting Clean Production In Textile Sector' initiative, clean production training activities are being carried out for the sector and technical and financial support is provided to the projects for the improvement of textiles manufacturers.
Global textile brands that incorporate sustainable production criteria into procurement processes are also among the supporters of Clean Production. Boyner Group, H&M and Inditex brands are also among those brands supporting the widespread movement by emphasizing the importance of clean production investment to protect the competitive power of global producers in global markets. Brands such as Akürün, Altınbaşak, Aslıteks, Ata Tekstil, Noksan Tekstil, Ekpen Tekstil and Gamateks have also participated in the meeting and they are listed among the companies that are among the pioneers of Clean Production transformation in the region.
"Promotion Of Clean Production Is Essential For Denizli"
Delivering a speech during launch of the project, Özgür Akdoğan, Deputy Secretary General at GEKA, points out that the textile sector faces water problems: "Approximately 50 percent of the 3.5 billion USD industrial exports of the Büyük Menderes Basin is provided by textiles. Providing 80 percent of the basin exports, the Province ranks 8 in the exports ranks of the Turkey. However, as in other sectors, the textile sector has also been facing water problems.
Akdoğan also states promotion of clean production is essential for both Denizli province and overall Turkey and says: "The textile sector particularly holds a very critical position due to the high amount of water used in dyeing and finishing operations. For many international buyers, resource efficiency has become a priority in the supply chain. Considering these factors, we think Denizli's expansion and promotion of clean production to protect global competitiveness is essential."
Aslı Pasinli, General Manager of WWF-Turkey, explains they are aiming for a great transformation that will be an example for other sectors, basins and world with the initiative started in Denizli. Clean production includes a variety of applications that provide economic benefits in addition to elements such as less water and chemical use in production, energy efficiency and reduced amount of generated solid waste and waste water.
