On October 3, 2024, the Circular Fashion Partnership (CFP) was officially launched in Jakarta at Alila SCBD, marking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and circular textile industry in Indonesia. This new initiative aims to support stakeholders in fostering a circular textile industry in the region. The partnership is funded by H&M Foundation and private sector contributions and led by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) in collaboration with the implementation partners Reverse Resources, Closed Loop Fashion, and Circle Economy Foundation, and Rantai Tekstil Lestari (RTL) acting as the National Lead. The Launch event not only aimed to kick-off the CFP but also the involved partnership organisations called for broader participation of brands, manufacturers, waste handlers, recyclers, and government bodies to participate in the collective action programme to achieve impact at scale.
The event attracted over 120 participants ranging from government officials, industry leaders and sustainability advocates, national and international media, creating an energetic environment for dialogue and collaboration. In attendance were prominent figures such as Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti (Deputy for Economic Affairs) from the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Andi Rizaldi (Head of the Agency for Industrial Services Standardization & Policy) from the Ministry of Industry, and Rosa Vivien Ratnawati (Director-General of Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Hazardous Substances Management) from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Also present were Jacob Jepsen (Head of Trade) from the Royal Danish Embassy and Wilda Yanti (Chairwoman of ASOBSI/Indonesia Association of Waste Banks). Their presence and support reinforced the government’s commitment to transitioning to circular systems within the textile sector.
Key stakeholders also participated in a panel discussion on enabling conditions for circular commercial collaborations that benefit all actors in the value chain. The panel included industry leaders such as Vaneet Goel from Indorama, Anya Sapphira from H&M Group, Dhristi Masand from adidas, Vinit Jain from Busana Apparel Group, and Hasha Vardhan from Syre, representing a broad cross-section of the industry from brands, manufacturers, and recyclers.
Closed Loop Fashion is honoured to be a key implementing partner in this initiative, leveraging its ten years of experience within Indonesia’s textile industry. Over the past decade, we have developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Indonesia’s supply chains. Our close collaboration with local manufacturers and recyclers has revealed the enormous potential for textile waste recovery, particularly in post-industrial waste. We are excited to contribute this expertise to the Circular Fashion Partnership.
The launch event was more than an introduction to the project—it was a pivotal moment to unite in pursuit of shared objectives. The strong turnout demonstrated the broad support for circularity in the textile sector, with representatives from global brands, local manufacturers, NGOs, and government agencies exploring pathways to scale textile recycling. Closed Loop Fashion highlighted the vital importance of collaboration and innovation, marking the event as the start of new partnerships that will shape the future of the industry for years to come.
At Closed Loop Fashion, our approach has always been deeply rooted in respect for the local context and a clear understanding of the industry’s specific needs. Indonesia’s textile sector, with its vertically integrated supply chains and significant volumes of recyclable material, presents unique opportunities for circular solutions. Our role within the partnership involves not only supporting the collection and sorting of textile waste but also building industry capacity by fostering best practices and incorporating technological innovations that make recycling more efficient and scalable.
The event was a resounding success, with rich discussions around policy, technology, and the future of sustainable manufacturing. Our long-standing presence in Indonesia has allowed us to build strong relationships across the sector, which we can now bring to the Circular Fashion Partnership as we collaborate with local and global stakeholders to achieve a shared vision of a sustainable future. The event marks the beginning of an exciting journey that will unfold over the next 2 years and help position Indonesia as a leader in textile circularity, creating jobs, reducing waste, and fostering innovation throughout the supply chain.
