Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 01: The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and Sustainable Resolution (SU.RE) will be hosting the inaugural ECO-STITCH Sustainability Conclave on April 3, 2026, at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai co-located with the 6th FAB Show 2026. The Conclave will be held with support from Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability Council (GATS), Brands & Sourcing Leaders Association (BSL) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The mission of this by-invitation Conclave is to create a global textile and apparel ecosystem where sustainability is not an initiative, but the foundation of every manufacturing decision. It will bring together industry leaders to collectively explore what genuine systems transformation can be brought in the industry. It will bring together expected 150+ attendees including brand owners, international buying houses, manufacturers, exporters, policymakers and start-ups/innovators to collectively explore what genuine systems transformation can be brought in the industry. With a balance of high-level discussion, technical deep dives, and open debate, the conclave will help attendees benchmark progress and accelerate tangible impact across the apparel and textile value chain. Key sessions will cover EU readiness, adoption challenges for Indian brands, green finance and social inclusion, and UN-led initiatives supporting sustainable clusters, alongside a CEO panel examining how sustainability can be embedded as a core business strategy rather than a compliance mandate.
Speaking about the conclave, Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said, “Sustainability can no longer remain an aspirational goal for the apparel industry. It is high time it develops the foundation of how we design, source and manufacture. CMAI aims to create a one-of-a-kind annual platform that brings together decision-makers from the textile and apparel ecosystem. We will have candid discussions to debate on the biggest sustainability challenges and opportunities, help attendees gain actionable strategies, practical solutions, new networks for collaboration to accelerate adoption of responsible and circular practices.”
The Conclave will showcase practical demonstrations of circularity through its 3R thematic architecture—Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle. These experiential zones will present real-world examples of sustainable sourcing, upcycled product collections, and integrated “waste-to-wardrobe” supply chains that trace materials from textile waste to finished garments. Speaking about the theme of the Conclave, Naveen Sainani, Hon. Gen. Secretary & Chairman, ESG Committee, CMAI,expressed, “The ECO-STITCH Conclave is designed to go beyond conversations and focus on practical pathways for change. By convening stakeholders and sustainability champions under one roof, CMAI seeks to drive greater awareness, collaboration and measurable action that will help the Indian textile and apparel sector transition towards more sustainable and future-ready business models.”
The Conclave will also feature an Automation and AI Showcase, highlighting how digital tools, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technologies are enabling responsible product development and improving efficiency across the fashion value chain.
A key highlight at the Conclave will be the introduction of CMAI SU.RE Sustainability Awards, which will recognize responsible manufacturers, conscious fashion brands, circular supply chain innovators and technology and service providers who have done significant work driving measurable progress in Sustainability and Circularity in India’s fashion and textile industry. The awards will be assessed by a renowned Jury panel which includes Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd.; Sunjay Rastogi, Head (New Business, Strategy, CSR) at Trent Ltd; Darshana Gajare, Head of Sustainability at Reliance Brands; Parvinder Singh, Head, Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability Council (GATS); Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI amongst few other industry experts.
Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI, said, “The Conclave marks a timely and strategic intervention for the manufacturing ecosystem, where the focus must now shift from intent to measurable, scalable action. As an industry, we are at a stage where Sustainability can no longer remain a parallel conversation. It must be embedded into core business strategy, from fibre and fabric selection to manufacturing processes and supply chain design. The real opportunity lies in driving alignment by enabling manufacturers, brands and suppliers to move towards responsible sourcing, resource efficiency and circularity. Such collaborative platforms will play a critical role in strengthening India’s position as a globally competitive, future-ready and sustainability-led apparel manufacturing hub.”
Further enriching the event will be a Grand Sustainable Fashion Showcase, featuring 12 curated sequences highlighting AI-driven design, Indian craft traditions, and sustainable fabrics. CMAI will collaborate with leading fashion institutes such asNational Institute of Fashion Technology (Bengaluru), JD Institute of Fashion Technology, MKSSS’s School of Fashion Technology, Pune (SOFT) and International School of Design, Surat (IDT) to engage young designers and emerging talent in presenting garments that embody the principles of circular and responsible fashion.
Alongside of the conclave, a strong emphasis is being placed on sustainability as the overarching theme of the FAB Show 2026, reflected in the overall ambience and exhibition design. A dedicated Sustainability pavilion featuring fifteen exhibitors will showcase eco-conscious innovations across textiles, accessories, certifications, and production processes, offering attendees tangible insights into responsible sourcing and manufacturing.
By convening stakeholders across the ecosystem—from MSME manufacturers and large exporters to brands, designers, technology providers and policymakers—the CMAI SU.RE ECO-STITCH Conclave will ensure that sustainability is not the responsibility of a few, but a shared industry movement.
If you object to the content of this press release, please notify us at pr.error.rectification@gmail.com. We will respond and rectify the situation within 24 hours.
