PORTUGAL has published the country’s first sustainability report for the textile & clothing industry in the fall of 2023. This is a report with data from 71 manufacturing companies representing all sectors in the Portuguese textile & apparel industry. The project runs under CITEVE and the be@t, Bioeconomy at Textiles, initiative. The be@t initiative works with the 4 areas Biomaterials, Circularity, Sustainability and Society with the following objectives:

to develop new traceable textile products and materials, of biological origin, which are renewable (including forest-derived materials, agro-industrial waste and alternative natural fibres) and with better environmental credentials, without affecting their performance levels
to develop advanced and sustainable production and finishing technologies and processes
to explore innovative Eco-design and Eco-engineering approaches, to guarantee the circularity of all textile products generated in this structuring project
to promote the use/reuse, collection and recycling of textiles, economic business models and strategic partnerships, as well as effective regional policies, to implement circular, sustainable and cost-effective textile value chains
to contribute to a culture of sustainability and responsible consumption, informing and involving consumers, agents in the textile chain, brands and other relevant stakeholders
to contribute to the generation and consolidation of a truly innovative, sustainable and circular Portuguese textile and Apparel Industry

With these projects numerous initiatives were launched and the industry is working together to position itself at the forefront of sustainable and regenerative development. 1.836 companies in the industry hold these certifications : 31% OEKO-TEX 100, 25% GOTS, 18% OCS, 15% GRS and 11% RCS.

The level of documentation for brands to make sustainability claims is rising rapidly, more and more manufactures get used to working with traceability software using blockchain technology and Win-Win Textiles works with manufacturers, who are OEKO-TEX STeP and B-Corp certified. CITEVE is currently working on a solution to manage the Digital Product Passport, which is part of the new EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. With this software the development of a durability or life-expectancy index has started as this is also expected to be part of the EU legislation to be enforced through national legislation within the year 2026. This can connect to traceability software and later develop into an LCA calculation tool.

We follow this development closely and will be part of the beta-version of such software. See also under Transparency in this section of the website.

Win-Win Textiles is a participant in the UN Global Compact initiative and you can follow our company and see our COPs, Communication on Progress each year.

The Municipality of Guimarães, our hometown, is among the 3 finalists in the EU Green Capital award 2026 and is doing an immense effort in transitioning to a greener and better world. Here you can read more about our participation.

In Guimarães we work with Laboratório da Paisagem, who makes our annual CO₂ report. Laboratório da Paisagem seeks to be a reference in international best practices in sustainable development policies. Founded in 2014 by Guimarães’ City Council and two of the main higher education institutions in the north of Portugal, the University of Minho and the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Laboratório da Paisagem is today based on three main axes of intervention: Research and Education, Project Management and Applications and Communication & Environmental Training. They are also helping us with specific product impact calculations, will help us make the double materiality assessment and they are our valued partner together with the Municipality in our yearly reforestation event.

Another valuable resource in Guimarães is CVR - Centre for Waste Valorization. CVR's mission is to support industry and municipalities providing research services and application of real solutions in the waste recovery area.

Our company has worked with organic materials for more than 25 years and we have gained comprehensive understanding and knowledge around the complexities of managing sustainable and responsible supply chains. We constantly strive to build even better and more sustainable supply chains.