The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India unveils the SU.RE website and Sustainable Supply Chain Directory to enhance sustainability in the apparel sector during the Bharat Tex 2025 event.
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has officially unveiled the SU.RE website along with the SU.RE Sustainable Supply Chain Directory, signaling a notable advancement in India’s sustainable fashion sector. This initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable practices within the Indian apparel industry, was announced during the Bharat Tex 2025 event.
The SU.RE website serves as a comprehensive digital platform designed to facilitate the Indian apparel industry’s transition towards sustainable practices. It includes vital educational resources and creates a collaborative environment for brands, manufacturers, and various stakeholders. The site features an assortment of valuable content, including news articles and case studies that highlight the sustainability efforts of industry leaders.
Complementing the website, the SU.RE Sustainable Supply Chain Directory boasts over 600 verified vendors categorized by their focus areas such as fabric manufacturing, recycling, sustainable packaging, and certification bodies. This directory aims to streamline the process of responsible sourcing and foster collaborations among brands and eco-conscious suppliers, thus enabling seamless access to sustainable materials and practices.
The platform was developed in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability (GATS), further emphasizing the initiative’s commitment to promoting knowledge-sharing and innovation in sustainable sourcing. The Indian sustainable fashion market is projected to witness substantial growth, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45%, expanding from INR 2,700 crore in FY24 to a remarkable INR 25,000 crore by FY30.
In light of ongoing environmental and ethical challenges faced by the fashion industry, such as the considerable water and energy consumption associated with laundry practices—amounting to approximately 15,000 liters from washing clothes 200 times a year—and the troubling statistic that less than 50% of textile waste is reused or remanufactured, the push for sustainability has grown increasingly important. The industry is also grappling with ethical issues, notably the lack of transparency and weak enforcement of labor laws in informal sectors. Addressing these concerns through responsible sourcing and ethical manufacturing practices is deemed essential for the long-term viability of the sector.
SU.RE, which stands for Sustainable Resolution, is characterized as India’s most extensive voluntary commitment to sustainability in the apparel industry. Since its inception in 2019, the initiative has aimed to enhance responsible sourcing, promote eco-friendly materials, and advance ethical manufacturing practices. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving CMAI, Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), and support from the United Nations in India.
Central to the SU.RE initiative is a five-point manifesto that outlines its strategic approach to sustainability:
1. Environmental Awareness – Emphasizing the understanding of the environmental impacts related to garment production.
2. Sustainable Sourcing – Encouraging the use of certified raw materials with positive environmental impacts.
3. Responsible Decision-Making – Ensuring sustainable practices across the value chain through the use of traceable and renewable materials and processes.
4. Transparent Communication – Engaging both consumers and media through various channels including product labeling and social media to heighten awareness.
5. Long-Term Commitment – Working towards significant shifts in sustainability practices by 2030 and contributing toward climate change mitigation and support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The launch of the SU.RE website and the Sustainable Supply Chain Directory is positioning the CMAI as a driving force behind meaningful changes in the fashion industry, equipping brands with essential tools to navigate the transition towards sustainability. The introduction of these resources marks a critical milestone in India’s endeavor to establish a more responsible and globally competitive apparel sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
