H&M Foundation and Global Fashion Agenda Spearhead Circular Textile Push in Panipat

In a significant move toward reshaping the global textile sector, a delegation from the H&M Foundation and the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) visited Panipat, India's renowned hub for textile recycling. The visit, hosted by the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability Council (GATS), is being seen as a strategic effort to design and scale sustainable, inclusive, and circular models within the fashion supply chain.

The visiting team included Carola Tembe (Project Director), Jodith Tesfai (Project Manager), and Elin Hallerby (Communications Lead) from the H&M Foundation, alongside Lennart Bernhoft, Chief Operating Officer of GFA. The delegation was warmly welcomed by GATS Chairman Parvinder Singh and his team—Harshit Kakkar, Archish Kansal, and Sanjay Chauhan—who are playing a pivotal role in facilitating cross-sectoral collaboration.

Under Singh's leadership, GATS has emerged as a key player in uniting international fashion brands, grassroots recyclers, policymakers, and manufacturers to co-create a sustainable textile ecosystem. His efforts have helped position Panipat not only as a recycling capital but as a model for forward-thinking, eco-conscious innovation in textiles.

During the site visit, the delegation explored Panipat’s extensive waste-to-product systems, gaining insight into how the city contributes to global textile recycling efforts. The group examined examples of successful closed-loop practices and inclusive business models that are enabling Panipat to serve as a benchmark for other regions.

Discussions during the visit centered on three major themes essential to transforming the industry:

1. Scaling Textile Waste Recycling: Strategies were discussed for increasing the volume of textile waste that can be efficiently collected and recycled.
2. Boosting Economic Returns for Recyclers: Emphasis was placed on creating new business models to enhance value recovery from recycled materials and ensure profitability.
3. Empowering Workers: Participants focused on the need to improve job quality, income security, and workplace conditions for informal sector workers involved in recycling operations.

GATS also outlined its vision of expanding Panipat’s role from a recycling stronghold to a sustainable apparel sourcing hub. Leveraging its heritage in home furnishings, the city aims to develop capabilities in apparel manufacturing rooted in circular practices and social responsibility—making it a go-to destination for brands seeking responsible supply chain partners.

This visit aligns with GFA’s ongoing efforts in the region, particularly through the “Green Threads & Weaves” initiative in collaboration with the Foundation for MSME Clusters. The project is designed to strengthen sustainability frameworks for small and medium-sized enterprises in Panipat.

Thanks to Parvinder Singh’s forward-thinking approach, GATS continues to act as a key bridge connecting global fashion leaders with local change-makers. Through pilot projects and policy engagement, GATS is proving that circularity, equity, and environmental responsibility can be integrated into the core business practices of the textile industry.

The visit by the H&M Foundation and GFA underscores a growing, serious commitment to fostering systemic change. With sustained collaboration and innovation, Panipat is on track to become a global exemplar of sustainable transformation in fashion and textiles.