Transforming Maharashtra’s Textile Future: Circularity, Collaboration & A New Vision for India

Vinit Parikh

Co-Founder, 

International Fashion Business Exchange Council (Ifbec)

Maharashtra has always been a powerhouse of India’s textile story — from mills and manufacturing to design, innovation, and global trade. But in recent years, the world has been moving faster than traditional value chains can respond. Rising consumer expectations, global sustainability norms, and mounting waste challenges have forced every textile-producing region to rethink its future.

What sets Maharashtra apart today is its boldness to lead this transformation head-on.

With the Integrated & Sustainable Textile Policy (2023–28), the Government of Maharashtra has taken one of the most progressive steps in the country’s textile history — committing to create 12 textile recycling facilities across 6 regions, while strengthening awareness, collection infrastructure, sorting, upcycling, and skill development.

This is not policy on paper. This is a blueprint for the future. And it is a privilege for IFBEC to support this ambitious journey on the ground.

A Government That Has Chosen to Lead from the Front

The leadership shown by the Hon. Minister of State for Textiles, the Principal Secretary (Textiles), and the Commissioner Textiles is both visionary and action-driven. A joint meeting between Government officials and key industry stakeholders was held on 18th October 2025 at Mantralay to review the GR, clarify operational expectations, and co-develop the roadmap for implementation. The discussion included:

• Bringing stakeholders — from waste collectors and recyclers to manufacturers, brands, NGOs, and technology innovators — onto a single, state-supported platform to enable coordinated action.
• Building a transparent system where awareness leads to action, action leads to better collection, better collection leads to quality material, quality leads to higher value, and value generates stable livelihoods across the ecosystem.
• Positioning Maharashtra as India’s first state to establish a fully functional circular textile ecosystem, supported by policy, infrastructure, technology, and industry participation.

This clarity of purpose is rare. And it deserves recognition — and industry-wide participation.

IFBEC’s Role: Turning Vision into Execution

At IFBEC, we see ourselves as more than facilitators. Our role is to execute, to integrate, and to enable collaboration at scale.

1. Awareness that Reaches Every Citizen

Behaviour change is at the core of circularity. The ministry and stakeholders emphasised the need for a state-backed, long-term awareness campaign designed to drive behaviour change over the long run. IFBEC is proud to bring in:

• www.theresponsiblefashion.com — a ready platform for public education
• Partnerships with Rotary, municipal bodies, fashion schools, and industry networks
• Clear messaging that shifts attitudes from responsible consumption to responsible use and disposal

2. Collection Models that Work for Maharashtra

Through iKriti Foundation and industry partners, IFBEC has already executed:

• Community collection drives
• Decentralised door-to-door pickup
• Reward systems for citizens
• Standardised textile waste bins

A circular ecosystem is only possible when collection is predictable and accessible — and Maharashtra is now on the right path.

3. Sorting Skills that Improve Material Value

The Government’s recognition that sorting quality determines recycling success has created space for new capacity-building. 

IFBEC’s proposed Centre of Excellence with SASMIRA aims to:

• Train manpower in grading, quality testing, and fibre behaviour
• Align local skillsets with global standards
• Improve value recovery from every kilogram collected

4. Upcycling Clusters that Build Livelihoods

Maharashtra’s parks and clusters can become India’s hub for creative upcycling.

IFBEC is working with women-led groups, artisans and micro-entrepreneurs to convert waste into:

• Wearables
• Accessories
• Home textiles
• Lifestyle products

This is circularity with dignity and livelihood.

5. Recycling Infrastructure that Defines the Future

With the Government already identifying locations for the first recycling facilities, the next steps are clear:

• Immediate pilots
• Technology mapping
• Study tours and global best practices
• A unified, scalable model for textile-to-textile recycling

And IFBEC is committed to presenting a complete, implementable ecosystem model to the state.

Maharashtra: India’s New Circular Textile Capital

The transformation underway in Maharashtra is not incremental — it is systemic.

It positions the state as a national and global benchmark by:

• Reducing landfill burden
• Creating green jobs
• Strengthening brand competitiveness
• Opening new export opportunities
• Empowering citizens to participate in sustainability

This is not just a textile revolution — it is a societal shift.

And it is happening because the Government has shown resolve, clarity, and action-orientation.

A Founder’s Note

To every stakeholder in Maharashtra’s textile ecosystem — brands, recyclers, manufacturers, designers, collectors, NGOs and innovators:

We are entering a defining moment.

The Government has laid the foundation.

The industry is ready to collaborate.

The citizens are eager to participate.

Circularity is no longer an aspiration — it is becoming Maharashtra’s identity.

Let us rise to this moment together.

Let us align our capabilities, share our strengths, and build an ecosystem that the world will study for inspiration.

Maharashtra is ready.

The textile value chain is ready.

And together, we will build the future.