CMAI and GATS to Showcase Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub at Bharat Tex 2026
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), in association with the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability (GATS), will unveil the Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub at Bharat Tex 2026, highlighting India’s capabilities in sustainable, circular and responsible textile and apparel manufacturing.
Developed as a flagship initiative within Bharat Tex 2026, the pavilion will be built around the theme “Sustainable, Circular and Competitive Bharat.” It will showcase India’s integrated textile and apparel value chain, covering fibre, yarn, fabrics, recycling, garment manufacturing, technology, traceability and sustainable fashion. The initiative aims to position India as a preferred sourcing destination for global brands and retailers seeking environmentally responsible manufacturing partners.
The Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub will present immersive experiences alongside exhibitor showcases, demonstrating how India’s textile industry is responding to evolving global sourcing requirements while strengthening its export competitiveness. Curated zones including the India Impact Wall, Circularity at Scale, From Waste to Global Wardrobe, Made in Circular Bharat, Material & Innovation Library, and the Circular Bharat Forum will highlight advancements in recycled and natural fibres, resource-efficient production, circular manufacturing models, digital traceability and sustainable product innovation.
Beyond an exhibition space, the hub will function as a business platform bringing together manufacturers, exporters, brands, recyclers, technology providers, start-ups, certification agencies, policymakers and international organisations. The programme will include buyer walkthroughs, B2B meetings, sustainability-focused knowledge sessions, CEO dialogues, product launches, sustainability report releases, memorandum of understanding signings, case studies, product demonstrations and strategic partnership discussions.
Speaking on the initiative, Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said, “Global buyers are increasingly evaluating sourcing destinations through the lens of sustainability, transparency and regulatory preparedness. Through the Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub at Bharat Tex 2026, CMAI is bringing together the entire textile and apparel value chain to showcase India’s ability to deliver sustainable manufacturing at scale. The initiative reflects our industry’s collective commitment to making sustainability a strategic business advantage while reinforcing India’s position as a trusted and future-ready global sourcing hub.”
Naveen Sainani, Hon. Gen. Secretary & Chairman – ESG Committee, CMAI, expressed, “As India’s apex industry body for the apparel sector, CMAI has been working closely with stakeholders across the textile value chain to build greater industry preparedness for emerging sustainability requirements and enhance India’s competitiveness in international markets. The Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub is a natural extension of this vision, bringing together the textile and apparel ecosystem on a common platform to accelerate innovation, circularity, knowledge exchange and global partnerships.”
Parvinder Singh, Founder-Director, GATS, stated, “CMAI & GATS bring together the Sustainability & Circularity Hub at Bharat Tex, showcasing India’s capabilities in responsible manufacturing, circular materials, recycling innovation and traceable textile value chains. Guiding the industry towards measurable sustainability and circularity outcomes there will be release of a CXO Blueprint and a Sustainable Textiles Accord. As the global textile industry shifts towards sustainability-led competitiveness, this pavilion brings together brands, manufacturers, innovators, recyclers and knowledge partners to demonstrate practical solutions for a more sustainable, circular and competitive Bharat.”
The initiative comes as sustainability increasingly shapes international textile trade through regulations such as the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Digital Product Passport (DPP), Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). These evolving frameworks are driving demand for manufacturing partners that can deliver transparency, environmental compliance and resilient supply chains.
The Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub is being supported by organisations including Grasim, GIZ, UNEP, UNIDO, Alliance for Textile Sustainability, Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), Conserve India, Fashion for Change (FMC), IDH, Green Stitch, Grant Thornton, H&M, Fashion for Good, Canopy, Otteri, Reput, Restart Alliance, Recore and Ramsons, among others, showcasing sustainability initiatives and innovations under one platform.
With sustainability continuing to influence the future of global sourcing, the Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub is expected to strengthen Bharat Tex 2026 as a platform for business collaboration, innovation, policy dialogue and international partnerships while reinforcing India’s position within the global textile and apparel value chain.
