The document “Study on Water Use in the Textile Industry in the SUDOE Region” thoroughly analyzes the challenges and opportunities faced by the textile sector in sustainable water management, particularly in the regions of Portugal, Spain, Andorra, and southwestern France. This study is part of the Fashion Forward Interreg Sudoe project, which aims to adapt the textile industry to the requirements of the European Green Deal and to promote circularity and sustainability in the sector, with special attention to rural areas where textiles have a significant economic, social, and environmental impact.
General Context: Importance and Challenges
The textile industry is one of the most water-intensive, due to processes such as washing, dyeing, and finishing fabrics. According to the European Environment Agency, textile consumption in the EU in 2020 represented the third greatest pressure on water use. In addition, the industry generates large volumes of wastewater, which worsens the challenges in the context of increasing water scarcity and climate change.
Washing and rinsing textiles, especially after the application of chemicals or dyes, requires several cycles, increasing water consumption. In regions with water stress, such as the SUDOE area, efficient and circular water management is a key strategy for the sector’s resilience and sustainability.
Circular Water Management: Recirculation and Reuse
The study highlights that circular water management begins with the treatment of wastewater to achieve a quality suitable for new uses, a process known as regeneration. Regenerated water can be recirculated within the same industrial facility or reused in other processes. These strategies make it possible to reduce environmental impact and optimize the use of water resources, decreasing pressure on natural sources and pollution from effluents.
LIFE WAT’SAVEREUSE Project: Lessons and Opportunities
The document draws on lessons from the European LIFE WAT’SAVEREUSE project (2020-2024), led by the Pyrenees-Mediterranean Euroregion and involving entities such as the Catalan Water Partnership and Eurecat. The project focused on promoting the circular economy and water reuse in intensive sectors such as tourism, and generated tools such as technology repositories and sustainable water management plans.
Among the most notable results, support lines were promoted for the adoption of water-saving and reuse technologies, especially in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, demonstrating the importance of public-private collaboration and knowledge transfer between sectors.
Diagnosis and Strategies for Water Efficiency
The report provides a detailed diagnosis of the textile processes that consume the most water:
Cultivation and production of natural fibers
Fabric pre-treatment
Dyeing and printing
Chemical finishing
Additionally, it analyzes water efficiency on a global scale and in the SUDOE region, the quality of wastewater, and the barriers and opportunities for circular water management.
Regulations and Technologies
The study reviews European and national regulations on water reuse in France, Spain, and Portugal, and presents key strategies and technologies to reduce water consumption, such as:
Countercurrent washing
Efficient use of chemicals
Direct recirculation and water reuse
Regeneration and effluent segregation technologies
Emerging solutions such as sustainable dyeing technologies and dry finishing systems
Success Stories and Innovation Projects
Experiences and R&D projects in the SUDOE region that have achieved significant improvements in water efficiency are highlighted, demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of water circularity in the textile sector.
Conclusions
The study concludes that the transition to circular water management is essential for the sustainability and competitiveness of the textile industry in the SUDOE region. The integration of innovative technologies, collaboration among stakeholders, and regulatory compliance are key factors in reducing water consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring sector resilience in the face of climate and regulatory challenges.
