Euratex has launched a new strategy to represent and strengthen the voice of the European textile and apparel industry. Euratex is the European Apparel and Textile Confederation. It interacts with European policy institutions in Brussels as well as governmental bodies and partner organizations around the globe. It engages with EU policy makers and other key stakeholders in new ways.

Adding to Euratex traditional interest areas – trade and industry policies – are new objectives and priorities like sustainability, innovation and education. Euratex’s member companies which are overwhelmingly small and medium-sized enterprises cover a broad industry cross-section in terms of product, market segment and geographical spread.

Over the last 10 years the European textile and clothing industry, representing an annual turnover of over €171 billion, some 1,78,000 companies and 1.7 million workers, has been able to modernize and reinvent itself into a forward-looking, innovative and export-oriented sector. The EU-27 is the largest world market for textile and clothing products. Further, it is the second world exporter in textiles as well as in clothing.

The confederation has now decided on an internal reorganisation appointing three new directors: Isabelle Weiler (Trade and Industry), Lutz Walter (Innovation and Skills) and Mauro Scalia (Sustainable Businesses).