Trend of sustainable clothing booming in India (2024)

The rise of Sustainable & Organic Clothing represents modern-day buyers’ adoption of eco-conscious fashion template. The popularity of organic textiles is commensurate with its market size, which is on a consistent rise.

Organic Cotton, for example, has become the most famous sustainable textile in India, the leading producer of organic cotton (51%) with 1.23 million tonnes produced in 2022. In its report named “Organic Cotton Market, 2021-2028”, Fortuna Business Insights came up with two interesting findings.

Firstly, the market size of the organic cotton industry will touch the outstanding mark of USD 6,730.9 million by 2028. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 40.0% in the 2021-2028 period. Organic cotton is a naturally cultivated textile material developed with natural fertilisers and harmless materials that has a lower impact on the environment than synthetic cotton.

Buyers’ mindsets have also gone through a profound metamorphosis. It has led to a preference shift towards ‘value-based eco-friendly shopping’. The organic fashion boom can be attributed to the dichotomous nature of the textile industry at present.

On the upside, a recently released Global Market Report, 2023, by the Business Research Company stated that the global textile market would witness growth from $573.22 billion in 2022 to $610.91 billion in 2023 at a 6.6% CAGR.

The only glaring downside is that the textile and clothing industry is one of the most pollution-causing industries in the world. Studies across the globe show that textile waste and cleaning processes diminish the quality of roughly 5% of landfill space and 20% of freshwater bodies across the globe. Fast fashion items often undergo a long and intense chemical process before ending up on our hangers. Around 8,000 different synthetic chemicals are used to dye, bleach and wet process garments. Those chemicals often cause diseases or even deaths among farmers and inflict serious birth defects on their children.

The organic clothing market has gone through a phase of an intensive boost as the world is facing the heat of drastic climatic changes and virulent repercussions of placing development over environmental concerns. Organic Cotton, Recycled Cotton, Hemp, Linen, Bamboo Linen, and Cork are raw materials leading the growth of the sustainable fashion industry.

Sustainable textiles are eco-friendly and do not require the use of harmful pesticides and fertilisers in their production. They do not dilute the soil nutrients or use genetically modified seeds. Organic fibres are made with organically approved pesticides and require a low percentage of water. They conserve 62% more water and 88% more energy than synthetic cotton production.

Hemp is a resourceful, sustainable fabric with carbon-negative properties and absorbs Co2 from the environment. It is a water-efficient fabric which does not require chemicals for its production and gives phytoremediation benefits to soil and replenishes its quality. It is quite a popular material in the West and is slowly finding its grounding in India as well.

The educated intelligentsia and classes have acknowledged an eco-centric shopping culture. There is a uniformity in the production processes of organic fabrics, which causes minimal to no harm to the environment. There are numerous catalysts at work in the popularity of organic clothing. They are far more comfortable, easily maintainable, washable, and stretchable, which makes everyone’s preferred choice on the Wishlist.

There are no polarising views on the sustainability of organic clothing, which is expediting the idea of ‘ethical fashion’. It has introduced new and refreshing ways and approaches in the lifestyle and fashion industry, leading to the abnegation of old feudal thinking models. Mindless shopping has taken a backseat. Buyers are perceptible and enquiring about the fabrics and choosing organic clothes over chemical products, which has clearly depicted a coherent change in the fashion industry. Brands are introducing their organic fashion lines, and the genesis of organic fashion brands is also at the apex of growth.

According to sustainable fashion industry statistics, the market is expected to rise to $9.81 billion in 2025 and $15.17 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 9.1 percent, due to the growing awareness of ethical fashion in India.

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Trend of sustainable clothing booming in India (2024)

FAQs

What is the current scenario of sustainable fashion in India? ›

The sustainable fashion market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% during 2021-2026, according to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com. The report also suggests that the market's growth will be driven by increased consumer awareness, government initiatives, and the availability of sustainable materials.

What is the trend in sustainable clothing? ›

Sustainable clothing also helps us curb greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions. This is because the garments use biodegradable components from recycled and natural fibres. These fabrics are grown without the use of fertilisers or pesticides, consume less water and energy, and employ no chemical treatments.

Is sustainable fashion market in India estimated to reach $9 billion by 2025? ›

Eco-Friendly Elegance: Navigating the Landscape of Sustainable Fashion in India. A research by Reports And Markets revealed that the sustainable fashion market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2021 to 2026. Similarly, a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report found that it will reach $9 billion by 2025 ...

What is the conclusion of sustainable clothing? ›

Sustainable fashion plays a crucial role in reducing waste and conserving our environment. It promotes the use of eco-friendly materials and encourages recycling, which drastically reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

What is India doing for sustainability? ›

India has already prepared a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which encompasses eight core missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture, and strategic knowledge for climate change.

Why is sustainable fashion a trend? ›

Consumer Demand Drives Change: Increasing consumer awareness and consciousness about environmental and social issues are fueling the rise of sustainable fashion trends. Consumers are actively seeking out brands that prioritize sustainability, ethical practices, and transparency.

When did sustainable clothing become popular? ›

The term “sustainable fashion” first emerged in the 1990s; however, its roots are traced back to the hippies and punks of the late 60s and mid-70s.

When did sustainability become trendy? ›

In the 1980s the new paradigm of sustainable development was popularized and became more widely used. The term was used in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's World Conservation Strategy (1980), Lester R.

Has sustainability become a trend? ›

Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the impact their consumption and lifestyle have on the environment. This has led to a rise in demand for sustainable products and services.

What is the size of India sustainable fashion market? ›

A recent report indicates that the Indian sustainable fashion market is projected to reach a value of $9.81 billion by 2025, with an estimated CAGR of 9.81% between 2020 and 2025.

What is the growth rate of fashion industry in India? ›

Revenue in the Fashion Market is projected to reach US$14.68bn in 2024. Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 10.65%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$24.35bn by 2029.

Do Indian consumers care about sustainability? ›

Indian consumers are demonstrating a willingness to align their personal well-being with a commitment to sustainability.

Is sustainable clothing the future? ›

The future of sustainable fashion in India is bright. The industry has the potential to be a leader in sustainable fashion. There are a number of factors that are driving the growth of sustainable fashion in India, and these factors are likely to continue to grow in the years to come.

Why is sustainable clothing good? ›

Sustainable fashion focuses on quality rather than quantity. The clothing is made of higher quality materials that are built to last, unlike fast fashion brands. Eco-friendly fabrics also tend to be softer and more durable. As a result, you discard a lot less than you would with fast fashion items.

Does sustainable clothing last longer? ›

Sustainable fashion brands invest in creating high-quality clothes that will last longer than the fast-fashion alternatives. They encourage consumers to develop a long-lasting relationship with their clothes, which ultimately leads to less waste and a smaller environmental footprint.

What is sustainable development in India today? ›

Acting on its nationally-determined contributions, India has electrified 100% of its villages, reduced 38 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually through energy efficient appliances, provided clean cooking fuel to 80 million poor households, and set a target to install 450GW of renewable energy and restore 26 million ...

What are the current challenges for sustainable production in India? ›

Infrastructure Deficit: Building a Foundation for Green Growth: The current infrastructure in India poses a significant barrier to sustainable manufacturing. Limited access to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power restricts the adoption of clean energy alternatives.

What is the challenge to sustainable development in India? ›

There are numerous challenges to sustainable development in India such as loss of biodiversity, depleting natural resources, pollution of land, water and air as also poor health, poor literacy rate and environmental sustainability. The decentralised governance helps in promoting human and environmental concerns alike.

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