Record Global Fiber Production Drives Fashion’s Climate Emissions Raw Material Climb 30%

LONDON — The global fashion and textile industry’s environmental footprint is scaling new heights as annual fiber production surges to an unprecedented 132 million tonnes.

Global fiber production is scaling up faster than sustainable alternatives can replace them, driving fashion’s carbon footprint higher.

According to industry data released by Textile Exchange and the Apparel Impact Institute, global output has more than doubled since 2000, translating to roughly four tonnes of material generated every second. The spike is driven primarily by an overwhelming reliance on virgin fossil-based polyester, which continues to dominate the market due to cost advantages over sustainable alternatives. While a record number of major brands are adopting certified materials and setting climate targets, true textile-to-textile recycling remains in its infancy at under one percent. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions tied to raw material production have risen by roughly 20% over a five-year baseline, underscoring a widening gap between corporate sustainability pledges and the industry’s soaring production volumes.