Fashion for Good has released the first open-source blueprint designed to help the textile industry move toward near-net-zero manufacturing. Developed through the Future Forward Factory project, the blueprint gives Tier 2 manufacturers in India five practical and financially viable pathways to cut carbon emissions by up to 93 percent.
A CRITICAL NEED FOR PRACTICAL DECARBONISATION
Textile dyeing, treatment, and finishing units remain among the highest-emitting sections of the fashion supply chain. These wet-processing facilities use large amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. However, many manufacturers struggle with high upgrade costs, fragmented information, and the absence of a unified strategy. As a result, progress has been slow, even though this stage offers the greatest potential for emission reduction.
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND BLUEPRINT FOR SCALABLE TRANSFORMATION
The new blueprint consolidates best-in-class technologies, energy interventions, and breakthrough process innovations. It is designed for Indian Tier 2 facilities producing cotton knits and wovens and is freely accessible to manufacturers and brands. The initiative is supported by Laudes Foundation, H&M Foundation, Apparel Impact Institute, IDH, and technical partners BluWin, Wazir Advisors, Grant Thornton Bharat, and Sattva Consulting. Arvind Mills is the anchor partner leading the work in India.
The blueprint outlines five customised pathways based on product categories and production methods. If implemented fully, factories can achieve:
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93 percent lower carbon emissions
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33 percent lower water consumption
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41 percent lower electricity usage
Importantly, each pathway includes financial assessments such as payback periods, IRR calculations, and NPV analysis. It also maps relevant government incentives and offers a navigation guide to help manufacturers determine which scenario fits their facility.
Katrin Ley, Managing Director at Fashion for Good, notes: “The Future Forward Factory blueprint removes the guesswork and delivers a pragmatic solution to a complex problem. By making this knowledge freely available, we are systematically dismantling the biggest barrier to decarbonisation: the lack of a clear, implementable ‘how-to.’ Every manufacturer now has access to concrete guidance and validated financial data. This is more than a roadmap; it is the essential guide for the industry’s factory transformation.”
SUPPORT FOR REAL-WORLD IMPLEMENTATION
Fashion for Good plans to help a selected group of Indian manufacturers apply this blueprint with support from Apparel Impact Institute (Aii). These facilities will receive hands-on technical assistance, implementation support, and financial guidance. Manufacturers interested in participating can register their interest using the link provided by the organisation.
Abhishek Bansal, SVP-Sustainability, Arvind Mills, states: “As we build this facility, we are committed to sharing what we will learn. The Future Forward Factory blueprint is proof that a holistic understanding of the decarbonisation journey can unlock an investment case and create operational efficiencies for long-term profitability. Moving from assessments to the actual deployment of solutions.”
Fashion for Good and Arvind are now exploring the creation of the first Future Forward Factory using the blueprint. This near-net-zero facility will function as a real-world demonstration and will inform future blueprints for South Asia and Latin America.
INDUSTRY INVITED TO LEARN MORE
Manufacturers and stakeholders can join a Fashion for Good LinkedIn webinar on 8 December 2025. The session will provide a detailed walkthrough of the blueprint and offer guidance for practical adoption.
The complete blueprint is available through the Fashion for Good website.
