It is a partnership that will move the lines in terms of used textile management in Morocco. On 18 April 2023, an agreement was signed between the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, and Reciclados Tangier, the subsidiary of the Spanish group Textile Hallotex, which specialises in the manufacture of recycled fibres. The agreement concerns the construction of a factory to manufacture recycled yarns, fabrics and clothing for the Moroccan, European and American markets.
Waste generated by the production process, such as cutting waste, “dead stock” and non-conforming products, could be recycled in this new facility. The plant will be located in Tangier, one of the two regions in Morocco where 70-80% of the textile industry is concentrated, after Casablanca.
62.5 million investment
This explains the surprising amount of used textiles coming out of these areas each year, i.e. about 77% of the 83,200 tonnes generated per year in Morocco. “The objective is therefore to accelerate the transition towards a responsible, green and sustainable textile industry; to gain in competitiveness and to allow our national industrial actors to better position themselves in relation to their competitors,” says Minister Ryad Mezzour.
To support this vision, Reciclados Tangier will rely on financing of 695 million Moroccan dirhams (more than 62.5 million euros) to complete the project for the recovery of used textiles in Tangier. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will provide support for the technical and financial feasibility of the project, managing and co-financing external consultants. The World Bank Group’s private sector financing arm will also deploy its expertise and in-house resources for the financial closure of the project.
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In addition to reducing pollution, the used textile recycling project will help develop the textile sector in Morocco, the eighth largest exporter of clothing to Europe, notably through the creation of more than 6245 direct and indirect jobs.
Eco-responsible production
On 18 April 2023, a second agreement was signed between the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Moroccan Association of Textile and Clothing Industries (AMITH) and the IFC for the decarbonisation of the Moroccan textile and clothing sector, the development of circular production and the promotion of the sector.
“The agreement will allow Morocco to benefit from the strategic and transformative projects of the IFC’s technical and financial services, and to support the awareness and training of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in circularity practices”. The agreement also aims to support companies in adopting new business practices and new technologies, notably through technical upgrades and the implementation of expansion plans and/or access to capital; to encourage international brands to source from Morocco; and to provide financing to global fabric producers for the development of their activities in the kingdom.
Inès Magoum