As global sourcing priorities shift towards sustainability, traceability and responsible manufacturing, 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, reaffirming India’s commitment to building a globally competitive, future-ready textile and apparel manufacturing ecosystem.
Developed as a flagship initiative within Bharat Tex 2026, the Eco-Stitch Hub is built around the theme ‘Sustainable, Circular and Competitive Bharat’. It will present India’s integrated capabilities across the entire textile and apparel value chain—from fibre, yarn, fabrics and recycling to garment manufacturing, technology, traceability and sustainable fashion; positioning the country as a preferred sourcing destination for global brands and retailers.
The Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub aims to demonstrate how India’s textile and apparel industry is responding to changing global sourcing expectations while strengthening its export competitiveness.
The collaborative pavilion will integrate immersive thematic experiences with exhibitor showcases to tell the story of India’s circular textile and apparel ecosystem. Visitors will experience India’s sustainability journey through 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. Together, these experiences will highlight the industry’s strengths in recycled and natural fibres, resource-efficient manufacturing, circular production models, digital traceability, sustainable apparel manufacturing and export-ready product innovation.
Designed as more than an exhibition, the Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub will serve as a business platform connecting manufacturers, exporters, brands, recyclers, technology providers, startups, certification agencies, policymakers and global institutions. The Impact Hub will facilitate international buyer walkthroughs, B2B meetings, sustainability-focused knowledge sessions, CEO dialogues, product launches, release of sustainability reports, MOU signings, presentations and case studies, product demonstrations, and strategic partnerships, creating opportunities for commercial collaborations and long-term supply chain integration.
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.”
Sustainability has rapidly become a business imperative, driven by evolving global regulations such as the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Digital Product Passport (DPP), Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). International buyers today seek manufacturing partners that combine scale with environmental compliance, transparency, resilience and innovation.
The Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub is partnered by 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, Ramsons, and several others highlighting their innovations and successful sustainability initiatives under one roof.
With sustainability expected to define the next phase of global textile and apparel trade, the Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub will reinforce Bharat Tex 2026 as a platform where business, innovation, policy and partnerships converge to shape the future of India’s textile and apparel industry while strengthening the country’s position in global value chains.
About CMAI
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is the most representative association of the Indian apparel industry having over 7,000 members and serving more than 50,000 Retailers. Its Membership consists of Manufacturers, Exporters, Brands, and ancillary industry. CMAI advocates regarding policies and also guides and encourages its members on ESG related matters and initiatives. In 2019, CMAI launched the SU.RE initiative to encourage members to embrace sustainability.
Established over sixty-three years ago, CMAI has contributed immensely towards development of the industry. In 1978, CMAI had led the creation of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). CMAI is also authorised by the Government of India to issue Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) to Exporters. CMAI is the only Indian Association that represents the entire Indian Apparel Industry & Trade on prestigious international forums such as International Apparel Federation (IAF) headquartered in Netherlands.
