Project in brief The Mediterranean textile industry has a longstanding tradition of leadership in terms of innovation, fashion, design and creativity. Despite of the increasingly fierce global competition, textile continues to be an important industrial sector, with an annual turnover of more than € 210 billion and total workforce of 2.3 million. During the last decade, an increasing outsourcing process in textile production has taken place, with some South Mediterranean countries becoming main players. Besides the economic reshaping of the textile industry, environmental sustainability is now a major challenge of the sector: water pollution caused by the discharge of untreated effluents, use of toxic chemicals during processing and energy consumption are common issues associated with textile production. In this framework, SUSTEXNET project will establish a cooperation network among the main stakeholders of the Mediterranean textile industry in order to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the whole sector.Specific objectives • To perform a detailed analysis of the current weaknesses of the textile sector in theMediterranean • To establish synergies among stakeholders involved so as to minimize the environmental impact and maximize the quality and productivity of the textile industry Expected Results: • Increased knowledge of the textile sector (spinning, weaving, dyeing and printing/finishing) in the Mediterranean with regards to: waste, water and carbon footprint; use of natural raw materials; distribution and transport channels or networks; environmental policies specifically addressing the textile sector; social status of the workforce • Common methodology developed for the assessment of technological, economic, environmental and social gaps to be covered along the value chain of the textile industry • Strategies to improve the environmental sustainability of textile industry designed and implemented in 16 selected companies • Reduced environmental impact of production processes in selected textile companies