The “Developing Sustainable Competitiveness in the Textile Sector” UR-GE Project, carried out by the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association to support green transformation in the textile industry, was recognized by the Ministry of Trade.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Consultancy activity conducted under the project was selected as a “Good Practice Example” at the “Responsible – Responsibility and International Competitiveness Summit” organized by the Ministry of Trade.
The award was presented to Turan Göksan, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, by Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and Deputy Minister of Trade Özgür Volkan Ağar.
Sustainability Support for 17 Companies
Launched by ETHİB in 2021, the UR-GE Project was developed to support adaptation to the global sustainability transformation, particularly the European Green Deal.
The project aimed to improve the capacities of 17 companies in sustainable production, carbon management, energy efficiency and circular textiles.
Within this scope, companies received consultancy services in energy efficiency, ISO 14064 corporate carbon footprint management, ISO 14001 environmental management system and life cycle assessment.
Environmental Impacts of Products Analyzed Across Their Life Cycle
As part of the award-winning LCA Consultancy, companies’ products were assessed in line with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards.
For each company, product-based “Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessments” were carried out, with different scenarios analyzed and reported. This enabled the environmental impacts of products to be evaluated comprehensively, from the raw material stage to the end of their life cycle.
The study helped companies integrate sustainable production practices into their business processes, develop actions to reduce carbon emissions and gain a competitive advantage in export markets.
The LCA reports prepared under the project served not only as technical outputs, but also as strong sustainability references that companies could present to their customers.
Good Practices in Europe Examined On Site
As part of the project, an overseas marketing and study delegation program was also organized for the Netherlands, enabling companies to examine current practices in sustainability and circular textiles on site.
Participating companies attended Circular Textile Days, where they had the opportunity to closely observe good practice examples, new business models and sectoral transformation processes in Europe.
ETHİB also organized practical training sessions on 18–19 February 2025 covering carbon footprint, product carbon footprint, water footprint and life cycle assessment. The training programs aimed to strengthen the technical knowledge of sector employees in sustainability.
“We Will Continue to Stand by Our Companies”
Turan Göksan, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, emphasized that sustainability-focused transformation is critical for the future of the textile sector.
Göksan stated that ETHİB will continue to support exporting companies in their adaptation process to new regulations such as the European Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, saying:
We would like to thank our Ministry of Trade, especially our Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, for their support in contributing to the widespread adoption of sustainable production and strengthening our exporters in global competition. We will continue to stand by our companies in the adaptation process to new global regulations such as the European Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
ETHİB’s award-winning UR-GE Project stands out as an exemplary initiative for expanding sustainable production, carbon management and circular economy practices in the textile sector.
