With Brazil’s National Circular Economy Strategy, effective since June 2024, and the country hosting the G20 Summit later this month, this article explores how Brazil can capitalise on its assets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the textile sector, scale up sustainability impacts locally and internationally, and influence both brands and manufacturers within the textile dyeing and finishing industry.
Key Takeaways for Brands and Manufacturers
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Brands have access to bio-based energy sources and materials in Brazil, allowing them to source sustainable textiles and fibres from the region, reducing their environmental footprint and enhancing their brand reputation in the process.
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Brands will lower their carbon footprint using Brazil’s renewable energy and local carbon credits for comprehensive carbon-neutral sourcing.
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Manufacturers have the opportunity to lower production costs over time using Brazil’s renewable resources and grow demand for sustainable textile and apparel for Brazilian companies.
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Manufacturers can collaborate with Brazilian suppliers to develop innovative and sustainable dyeing and finishing processes while complying with stricter international standards through local practices for long-term sustainability.
Brazil's Decarbonisation Potential in the Textile Industry
Here are several ways in which Brazil is positioned to be a green energy powerhouse in the making and can decarbonise the textile industry.
1. Renewable Energy Leadership
Brazil’s potential for renewable energy is vast, with approximately 85% of its current electricity generated from renewable sources. As the country expands its wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy, these sustainable resources could play a pivotal role in supporting the textile industry's energy needs without increasing carbon footprints.
- Wind and Solar Expansion: By 2040, renewable sources could supply 47% of Brazil’s electricity, making it the ideal energy base for sustainable textile operations.
- Hydroelectric Infrastructure: Brazil’s robust hydropower infrastructure offers stable energy during solar or wind lulls, reducing the dependency on non-renewable backup options.
- Investment Needs: To fully integrate this energy capacity, Brazil will require approximately $9 billion in grid investments by 2028, according to the National Electric System Operator (ONS).
This energy shift offers textile brands and manufacturers an opportunity to power their operations with sustainable electricity, reducing their overall carbon emissions and aligning with the industry's global decarbonisation goals.
2. Advancements in Bio-based Solutions
Brazil’s expertise in bio-based energy solutions, particularly ethanol and biocarbon, provides another pathway for the textile industry’s decarbonisation. Bio-based energy can power dye houses, reducing reliance on energy-intensive and polluting processes such as dye baths and jet exhaust dyeing.
- Biocarbon for Production: Derived from eucalyptus, biocarbon could replace traditional dyeing methods, lowering emissions by 20-30%.
- Second-Generation Ethanol (E2G): By using sugarcane bagasse, E2G achieves up to 50% higher productivity in ethanol production, which could power sectors across textile dyeing and finishing.
This bio-based approach not only enhances Brazil’s energy independence but also creates a carbon-negative fuel source, presenting textile brands and manufacturers with a clean, homegrown energy alternative.
3. Circular Economy and Recycling Initiatives
Implementing circular economy principles is essential for reducing waste and optimising resource use in the textile industry. Brazil's recent National Strategy for Circular Economy (ENEC) emphasises waste reduction, sustainable product life cycles, and the efficient use of natural resources.
By embedding circularity, Brazil could create a more resilient, resource-efficient textile sector that reduces waste and improves resource productivity.
4. Natural Climate Solutions and Carbon Offsetting
With its vast forests, Brazil is positioned to establish itself as a leader in carbon sequestration, which is crucial for industries that rely on carbon-heavy processes. Textile dyeing and finishing, for instance, is one of the largest polluting industries on the planet.
- Carbon Credit Market: By establishing a global carbon credit market, Brazil could allow textile brands and manufacturers to purchase carbon credits, directly contributing to Brazil’s reforestation efforts and offsetting their carbon footprints.
These initiatives not only support environmental conservation but also provide textile brands and manufacturers with affordable and effective ways to achieve carbon neutrality.
Scaling Up Brazil's Sustainability Impact
For Brazil to realise its potential to become a true decarbonisation hub, there are several ways in which Brazil can scale it sustainability impact.
1. Policy and Infrastructure Requirements
- Policy and Regulatory Framework: A strong and supportive policy framework is essential to incentivise investment in renewable energy, sustainable technologies, and low-carbon industries.
- Grid Expansion and Modernisation: Investing in infrastructure, such as transmission lines and transportation networks, is crucial for facilitating the flow of renewable energy and sustainable products.
- Build the Necessary Ecosystem: Establish structured local and global value chains, identifying where partnerships and new capabilities are needed for effective participation.
- Secure Demand: Identify buyers willing to pay a premium or commit to long-term agreements, stabilising market demand in emerging sectors to attract investment.
- Skills Development: Build governance, talent, and technology frameworks tailored for the green economy, driving tech adoption at scale and bridging knowledge gaps.
- Technological Innovation: Fostering innovation and research and development to drive the development of new technologies and solutions to address climate change.
2. International Partnerships
For Brazil’s impact to scale globally, international partnerships will be critical. Textile brands and manufacturers from other regions could partner with Brazilian suppliers to source sustainable materials and leverage Brazil’s renewable resources, potentially creating an international supply chain of low-carbon textiles.
Building Towards a Sustainable Future
Following in the footsteps of the EU and US, Brazil’s journey toward decarbonisation offers the textile industry a unique opportunity to embrace sustainability in a meaningful and economically viable way. By leveraging its renewable energy potential, bio-based solutions, circular economy initiatives, and natural climate solutions, Brazil could set a global standard for decarbonising textile dyeing and finishing.
However, for Brazil to fully realise its potential, significant investment in infrastructure, policy support, and international partnerships is essential. Textile brands and manufacturers that engage with Brazil stand to gain from a lower-carbon, cost-competitive supply chain that aligns with the future of sustainable textile dyeing production.
Alchemie Technology have the solutions
As more nations recognise and implement more sustainable textile dyeing practices, we at Alchemie Technology are pleased to see genuine efforts being made to bring about meaningful change, particularly here in Brazil. Investment in infrastructure, industry policies, and partnership networks will be key to seeing Brazil become a green energy powerhouse, benefiting national and international textile brands and manufacturers.
Alchemie’s clean-tech digital textile dyeing solutions can support your transition to more sustainable textile dyeing processes. Our Discovery digital lab system uses a reverse osmosis process to reuse dye, preventing changeover maintenance, and offering improved textile waste management. Whereas Endeavour – like Discovery – can support reshoring for local textile dyeing production.
If you want to learn more about our solutions, please visit Our Technology.