### Việt Nam’s Textile and Garment Industry: Embracing Circular Economy
As global markets increasingly pivot toward sustainability and environmental accountability, Việt Nam’s textile and garment industry is making significant strides in aligning itself with the circular economy model. This transition is not merely a trend; it is a fundamental shift that aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency across the sector.
### Understanding Circular Economy
The circular economy is an economic system centered on reducing waste, promoting the optimal use of resources, and focusing on sustainability. It is built on three essential pillars: minimizing emissions through efficient energy and material use, extending product life by encouraging reuse and repair, and recycling waste into new materials. For Việt Nam’s textile and garment industry—one of the nation’s key export earners—this shift promises transformative potential.
### Goals for 2025 to 2030
Between 2025 and 2030, the Vietnamese textile and garment industry aims to evolve into a high-tech, innovative sector. The focus will be on enhancing productivity while decreasing reliance on low-skilled labor. Industry experts believe that by embracing circular practices, companies can eliminate the need for virgin raw materials, mitigate microfiber emissions, enhance recyclability, and transition to renewable energy sources.
### Essential Steps in Material Innovation
The transition begins with an essential step: replacing conventional synthetic materials with safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Phượng, director of the Institute of Environmental Industry, emphasizes that using non-toxic input materials is crucial for closed-loop manufacturing. This involves ensuring that materials are designed to avoid adverse impacts throughout their lifecycle—from production to disposal.
### Progress in Material Sourcing
To facilitate this shift, Vietnamese enterprises are increasingly decreasing their reliance on fossil-based polyester and instead boosting the content of recycled polyester. Additionally, there is a growing interest in regenerated cellulose fibers as sustainable alternatives. The industry is also pushing for the design of mono-material garments—100% cotton or polyester—because they are more manageable for recycling.
Biodegradable biopolymers are another area under exploration, presenting a significant opportunity to replace conventional plastics. Research indicates that while virgin polyester can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, certain recycled variants can break down up to 68.8% in just 180 days when buried in soil.
### Innovations in Dyeing Technology
Efforts to innovate dyeing processes are also gaining momentum. Many firms are opting for water-based, low-toxicity dyes, along with advanced techniques, such as supercritical CO2 dyeing and foam dyeing. These methods aim to cut back on water and chemical usage while ensuring the durability of colors.
### Challenges in Recycling and Design
Despite progress, a significant hurdle in implementing circularity within the fashion industry is the design process. Many existing production models overlook the end-of-life implications for garments, which leads to challenges in large-scale recycling. Experts advocate for innovation in materials and enhanced recycling infrastructure to better handle mixed-fiber fabrics and post-consumer waste.
### Leading the Way in Circular Practices
Several forward-thinking companies in Việt Nam are spearheading these changes. For instance, Thành Công Textile Garment Investment Trading JSC is at the forefront of promoting eco-friendly products made from recycled materials. The company operates a closed-loop production system that encompasses various manufacturing stages, including yarn production, weaving, dyeing, and garment assembly.
Rationalizing recycling in textile manufacturing is intricately linked to technological advancement. Director Phượng suggests that a nationwide innovation program focused on recycling technologies is crucial for the sector’s transition. Improvements in material sorting systems will further enhance the quality of recyclables, ensuring reliable inputs for manufacturers.
### Investments in Sustainable Technologies
Companies are also channeling investments into emission-reduction and resource-reuse technologies. Innovations like digital cutting pattern software, wastewater filtration systems, heat recovery from dyeing wastewater, and waterless dyeing solutions not only mitigate environmental harms but also improve economic efficiency.
### The Role of Vinatex
At the forefront of this transition is the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), which aspires to attain double-digit growth by 2030 through digitalization, green development, and circular production. As of 2024, green products constituted 25% of Vinatex’s output, with the company leveraging recycled materials to produce substantial quantities of yarn.
In adapting its manufacturing model, Vinatex is moving away from traditional cut-make-trim contracts toward higher-value forms like original design manufacturing (ODM) and original brand manufacturing (OBM). The company has also established a research center dedicated to creating functional fabrics that meet global market demands.
### Advancements from Other Players
Another noteworthy player, Agtex 28, has modernized its operations to align with sustainability goals. With an integrated production line that spans from spinning to dyeing, Agtex 28 employs advanced automated equipment sourced from Europe and Japan. This year alone, it anticipates producing millions of meters of dyed fabric and thousands of tonnes of yarn.
### Export Growth and Global Compliance
Việt Nam’s textile and garment exports reached an impressive US$44 billion last year, solidifying its status as the world’s second-largest exporter in this domain. The country is now targeting annual exports of $47–48 billion, covering132 markets, including the US, European Union, South Korea, and China.
As global importers tighten their sustainability standards, compliance with green practices is becoming essential for market access. Vietnamese companies face the necessity to adhere to stringent regulations, such as the EU Waste Framework Directive, which mandates separate collection of textile waste by 2025, and the REACH Regulation, aimed at minimizing hazardous chemicals.
### Competitive Advantage Through Sustainability
Navigating this transition allows Việt Nam’s textile and garment sector to safeguard environmental and public health while reinforcing its global supply chain position. By turning sustainability into a competitive advantage, Việt Nam is not just responding to a challenge but is proactively shaping a more sustainable future for the entire industry.