GreenStitch reduces the cost of LCA by 80 per cent
GreenStitch Technologies is a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to driving sustainability in the textile and fashion industries. By equipping businesses with advanced tools and technologies, GreenStitch enables them to seamlessly track and manage their sustainability data. With a mission to support brands and suppliers in achieving net zero emissions, the company provides innovative solutions to measure, reduce, and report environmental and social impacts.
From setting science-aligned targets to offering real-time ESG performance insights, GreenStitch’s integrated platform ensures compliance with global frameworks like SBTi, CDP, and TCFD. With an ambitious goal of managing 1 billion tonnes of carbon, GreenStitch is committed to helping businesses lead the ecological transition and thrive in a sustainability-focused future.
Speaking to Fibre2Fashion, Founder Narendra Makwana discusses how GreenStitch technologies enable the textile and apparel industries to go sustainable.
With increasing global regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the EU’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), how do you see the textile and fashion industry adapting to these requirements over the next decade?
The textile and fashion industry is expected to adapt to evolving regulations like EPR and PEF by enhancing environmental data tracking for compliance, integrating circular economy principles such as recyclability and durability into product design, and fostering collaborations with recyclers, regulators, and technology providers to close material loops. Consumer education will also play a key role in promoting participation in take-back schemes and encouraging sustainable consumption. Companies leveraging advanced tools like Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) will position themselves competitively in this shifting landscape.
What are the primary obstacles faced by the textile industry in achieving net-zero carbon emissions, and how can these be addressed through collaboration across the supply chain?
The textile industry faces significant obstacles in achieving net-zero emissions, including fragmented supply chains that hinder unified efforts, high costs associated with low-carbon technologies, and data gaps, particularly in Scope 3 emissions. Overcoming these challenges requires collaboration through standardised reporting frameworks to track emissions across the supply chain, financial incentives for shared investments in renewable energy and low-impact processes, and joint innovation projects for developing sustainable materials and methods. Additionally, knowledge-sharing platforms can help disseminate best practices and scale decarbonisation efforts across the industry.
How is the integration of AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies transforming the way the textile industry tracks and reduces its environmental footprint?
The integration of AI, blockchain, and IoT is revolutionising the textile industry in tracking and reducing its environmental footprint. AI supports predictive analytics to minimise resource waste, hotspot analysis to identify emissions-heavy production stages, and process optimisation for improved energy efficiency. Blockchain enhances traceability with immutable records of material origins and production steps while ensuring accountability by verifying sustainability claims. IoT and sensors enable real-time monitoring of energy and water use, allowing for timely interventions. Together, these technologies provide transparency, precision, and trust across the supply chain.
What are the best practices for ensuring end-to-end traceability in the textile supply chain, particularly in identifying and mitigating environmental hotspots?
Effective industry practices include engaging at least tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers to share emissions data, using digital technology and tools like blockchain and Digital Product Passports for transparency, and conducting third-party audits to validate claims. Hotspot mapping through LCAs and aligning with policies like the EU Green Deal further enhance traceability. Technology and collaboration are key to achieving these goals.
As consumers demand more sustainable and transparent products, how is this trend reshaping product development and marketing strategies within the fashion industry?
Consumer demand for sustainability is reshaping fashion brands’ strategies. They now prioritise eco-materials, durable designs, and made-to-order options to reduce waste. Transparent storytelling, trusted certifications, and consumer engagement, like take-back programmes, highlight their efforts. This shift drives alignment with environmental and ethical standards.
What inspired you to start GreenStitch, and what specific challenges in the textile and fashion industry were you aiming to address?
The textile industry contributes approximately 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 20 per cent of industrial water pollution. Projections suggest that these numbers could increase further if current consumption trends continue, positioning the industry as a major contributor to climate change. As a result, it has come under increased scrutiny from governments and regulators, pushing for greater sustainability. However, the sector struggles with lack of standardised data, and limited awareness about compliance with evolving global environmental regulations.
GreenStitch was born to bridge this gap. We envisioned a future where every participant in the fashion value chain, regardless of size, can navigate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. Our platform empowers businesses to reduce emissions, improve water efficiency, and comply with regulations, paving the way for a low-carbon and sustainable industry.
How does GreenStitch differentiate itself from traditional LCA tools like SimaPro and OpenLCA, especially in terms of usability and compatibility?
Traditional LCA tools like SimaPro and OpenLCA, while robust, are technical, time-consuming, and lack industry-specific focus.
GreenStitch differentiates itself with a user-friendly interface tailored for sustainability managers, even without technical expertise. It offers the world’s largest repository of fashion-specific benchmarks and emission factors for textile materials and processes, seamlessly integrates with ERPs, PLMs, and sustainability reports, and automates tasks using AI to validate data, predict trends, and streamline reporting. Additionally, GreenStitch reduces the cost of LCA by 80 per cent, making it a highly cost-effective solution for the industry.
Could you elaborate on how AI and automation play a role in simplifying the calculation of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions on your platform?
AI and automation are central to GreenStitch’s capabilities, driving efficiency and accuracy. AI-powered algorithms validate material and energy data by detecting anomalies, ensuring reliable insights. Machine learning enables scenario planning, simulating the impact of various decarbonisation strategies for better decision-making. The platform also streamlines compliance with automated reporting tailored to standards like CDP, SBTi, and CSRD, saving time and resources. Additionally, predictive insights identify emission hotspots and forecast risks, empowering businesses to act proactively and sustainably.
Your platform integrates existing ERPs and previous sustainability reports. How does this approach streamline the LCA process for businesses?
Integrating with existing systems streamlines processes and eliminates redundancy, allowing businesses to reduce manual effort by automatically extracting historical data from ERPs and reports for LCA. It ensures data continuity by leveraging past records to offer a comprehensive view of sustainability efforts. By combining historical trends with current operations, integration enhances decision-making through real-time insights. This approach simplifies LCAs and accelerates time-to-compliance, helping companies adapt efficiently to evolving regulations.
What features make GreenStitch uniquely suited for the fashion and textile industries, compared to generic sustainability tools?
GreenStitch is purpose-built to address the unique challenges of the textile industry. It offers material and process-specific benchmarks tailored to textiles and fashion, along with specialised Scope 3 emissions tracking to tackle the industry’s most significant supply chain challenges. The platform also provides supplier-specific insights, enabling precise decarbonisation strategies. Additionally, it includes modules designed for the sector, such as Digital Product Passports (DPP), decarbonisation modelling, and recycling solutions.
How does GreenStitch help businesses identify hotspots in their supply chains and suggest actionable steps for carbon reduction?
Our platform identifies emission hotspots by analysing lifecycle data across materials, production, and logistics. Using AI, it provides actionable insights, such as: Switching to renewable energy sources, optimising resource and energy utilisation and waste management, and partnering with lower-emission suppliers. Additionally, scenario planning tools simulate the impact of various decarbonisation strategies, enabling data-driven decisions.
How do you ensure compliance with global sustainability standards like SBTi, CDP, and TCFD through your platform?
GreenStitch simplifies compliance by:
- Automating Data Collection: Gathering relevant data from integrated systems.
- Generating Standardised Reports: Pre-configured templates for frameworks like SBTi, CDP, and TCFD.
- AI Validation: Ensuring data accuracy and consistency for credible reporting.
This streamlined process reduces the burden on sustainability teams while meeting global requirements.
GreenStitch has already helped 10+ companies in getting sustainability targets verified with SBTi.
Can you discuss the role of digital passports and QR codes in helping brands enhance transparency and customer engagement?
Digital passports and QR codes provide consumers with access to product-level sustainability information and green claims.
These tools enable consumers to track the product journey, from raw materials to final manufacturing;
highlight emission savings and sustainability credentials, fostering trust; and offer brands an opportunity to differentiate themselves in the market through transparency.
What has been the response from textile companies and brands so far? Could you share some success stories or partnerships?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with companies appreciating our sector-specific approach. While confidentiality prevents sharing specific client names, GreenStitch is proud to serve leading brands and manufacturers across Asia, Europe, and North America.
As regulations and sustainability expectations evolve, how is GreenStitch planning to stay ahead and further innovate its offerings?
GreenStitch remains proactive by:
- Investing in AI and blockchain for enhanced traceability and predictive analytics
- Collaborating with regulatory bodies to align with evolving standards
- Continuously updating benchmarks and tools to address emerging challenges.
