25th Textile Industry Forum
NITextile participated in the 25th Textile Industry Forum, organized by ATP, which this year addressed the theme “Is the Fashion Industry Shrinking? Paths to Guarantee Value and Future”.
The beginning of the forum was marked by the publication of economic indicators that demonstrate the current state of ITV in Portugal and the world. With presentations by Ana Paula Dinis and Fernando Alexandre, it became clear that despite the industry facing enormous macroeconomic challenges and being exposed to externalities that can undermine companies’ efforts, ITV Portuguesa has room to grow and establish itself as a European and global reference. However, it became clear that there is a lack of investment on the part of companies in Research and Development, mainly on the part of medium-sized companies, which represent a large part of the Portuguese business sector. The creation of new business models, products and processes, despite not having an immediate return, can lead companies to reinvent themselves and reach new target audiences. Increasing wages and attracting new talent to the industry can also be a decisive factor in guaranteeing the future of an industry that has known how to reinvent itself crisis after crisis.
In the debate “Climate Transition, Sustainability and Circularity”, which was moderated by Miguel Pedrosa Rodrigues and with the participation of Patrícia Ferreira, António Braz Costa and João Almeida, the main themes linked to sustainability and the challenges that the industry that ITV will face in the next 5 years were discussed, such as European legislation, the need to rethink manufacturing methods and the creation of new ways of valuing waste textiles, through the idealization and construction of infrastructures, which, at the moment, are still non-existent or scarce. The need to create national clusters to face these new challenges that will bring new business opportunities to Portugal was highlighted. The Digital Product Passport, as well as the need to measure the impacts of production and quantify them so that the consumer can make informed choices, was also highlighted.
Under the theme of “Digital Transition”, moderated by Mariana D’Orey and with a panel composed of Rodrigo Siza Vieira, Rui Oliveira and Tércio Pinto, it was confirmed that Digital is here to stay and that companies must address new technologies to build more resilient, transparent and efficient supply chains. Tokenization, the installation of sensors, real-time monitoring and the abandonment of paper documents in favor of greater integration were some of the topics that were raised. It was also clear that digital inclusion is a key point for the success of companies’ strategies, as it is on the shop floor and with employees who are most experienced in the processes that companies can take full advantage of this digitalization.
Eloi Gonçalves, luxury advisor, revealed the main areas of intervention in which the luxury market is working, highlighting that sustainability is a central focus of major brands.
In the end, the president of ATP, Mário Jorge Machado, encouraged companies to continue the successful path of ITV Portuguesa, despite the difficulties that the current situation causes. It was also highlighted that the Government must support ITV’s business sector more and create the conditions so that companies can grow and not be penalized for doing so.
The Secretary of State for Economy, Pedro Cilínio, closed the forum with a message of support for businesspeople and announced the ongoing support to minimize the impacts to which ITV is currently subject to ensure its competitiveness.
NITextile fully identifies with ITV’s current challenges and we want to help companies develop their potential in creating new methodologies, products or processes.
Contact us and together we can transform the future.