The Spanish Intertextile Council (CIE) held its General Assembly and Executive Committee meeting in Tarragona on July 3, a meeting marked by a strong message: the Spanish textile industry needs greater institutional support to successfully address the current challenges of sustainability, competitiveness, and digital transformation.
The session was attended by representatives of TEXFOR y ATEVAL and was chaired by José María Mestres, recently appointed president of the CIE. During the day, the current situation of the sector was analyzed from multiple angles, including the implications of the new European regulatory framework, the effects of environmental regulatory pressure, and the management of public funds allocated for industrial modernization.
One of the central points of the meeting was the review of the PERTE of Circular Economy. As explained by the president of the CIE, Of the more than 90 million euros initially planned, more than 60 million remain unawarded, in many cases for technical reasons that have left out solid projects.. Therefore, the CIE has urged the competent authorities to open a new call with more accessible criteria that allow for the incorporation of initiatives already presented, as well as new proposals.
The growing concern over absenteeism, which significantly affects the productivity of textile companies, was also addressed. The data shared at the meeting reflects an increase above the national industrial average. The CIE has called for a coordinated response from the administrations to address this trend with effective measures.
Regarding international trade, the Intertextile Council expressed concern about the stagnation of several strategic agreements, especially those related to Mercosur and Turkey. The lack of progress compromises the sector's competitiveness, even more so in a complex global context and amidst the ongoing European institutional reorganization. At the same time, The importance of strengthening knowledge and implementation of the Pan Euro-Mediterranean Convention was stressed., a key instrument for accessing tariff benefits. To this end, the CIE provides organize an information day together with EURATEX aimed at companies in the sector.
Sustainability remains one of the strategic pillars of the Spanish textile industry. During the general meeting, the track record of many companies that have been incorporating clean technologies, circular production systems, and responsible management models for over a decade was recognized. However, the Board cautioned that This commitment must be accompanied by instruments that guarantee fair competition in the international market.. In this line, it was proposed move towards a European certification system that makes sustainability efforts visible and provide added value to European products compared to third countries without the same regulatory requirements.
One of the most emotional moments of the day was the tribute to Albert NúñezA committed professional in the textile sector, he has been a driving force in the negotiation of various collective agreements and has earned the respect of all stakeholders over the years for his professionalism and humanity. His career has been marked by his ability to build consensus and his in-depth knowledge of the sector, and he was a key figure in the recently signed collective agreement for the textile and clothing industry.
The meeting concluded with the approval of the 2024 accounts and the 2025 budget, reaffirming the CIE's commitment to defending a strong, sustainable, and competitive textile industry.