Guest editorial: Sustainability and energy textiles

Sustainability has become one of the most pressing concerns of our time, particularly within the textile industry, which remains a major contributor to environmental and social challenges. The acceleration of industrialization, alongside population growth, has led to an increased and often uncontrolled depletion of natural resources. Sustainability is not just a strategy but a philosophy—one that seeks to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility and social well-being.At the heart of sustainability lies the principle that all industrial and consumer activities should align with nature, ensuring that resources are used responsibly, and waste is minimized. The textile sector, as a significant energy consumer, faces urgent sustainability challenges, including excessive water consumption, the use of hazardous chemicals and waste production. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that spans the entire value chain—from raw material sourcing and production processes to supply chain management and product end-of-life considerations.Sustainability in textiles is driven by three core principles: environmental, social and economic responsibility. Key strategies for sustainable textiles include circular economy practices that reduce waste and enhance recycling, the adoption of renewable and recycled materials, improvements in water and energy efficiency, responsible chemical management, ethical labour practices and sustainable supply chain management. Beyond industry efforts, education and research institutions play a critical role in advancing sustainability through scientific research and innovation.This special issue on Sustainability and Energy Textiles brings together some of the most impactful research in the field, featuring the best papers presented at the International Congress on Sustainability and Technological Developments in Textiles (TESTEG 2023), hosted by Gaziantep University from October 13th to 15th, 2023. This international conference focused on sustainability in textiles. The selected contributions showcase cutting-edge advancements in sustainable textile production, technological innovations and strategies for reducing the industry’s ecological footprint.The findings of paper, “A Comparative Analysis of After-Stitch Strength Reduction in Sewing Threads Across Woven, Nonwoven, and Composite Fabric Assemblies”, have significant implications for sustainability in textile manufacturing. Optimizing sewing parameters to minimize strength reduction can lead to more durable seams, reducing the likelihood of seam failure in garments. This, in turn, contributes to lower product rejection rates during quality control and extends the lifespan of finished textile products. By understanding how fabric assembly types and sewing parameters interact, manufacturers can make informed decisions that enhance seam performance, thereby reducing material waste and the need for costly repairs or replacements. The reduction of rejects and production inefficiencies plays a crucial role in minimizing textile waste, a growing concern in the industry. Textile waste from defective garments contributes to environmental pollution, increased resource consumption, and higher carbon emissions associated with reworking or disposing of faulty products. By refining sewing techniques and selecting appropriate materials to enhance thread strength retention, manufacturers can promote resource efficiency, ultimately supporting a more sustainable and circular textile economy. Further research in this area could help develop advanced sewing technologies and innovative materials that align with the industry’s sustainability goals while maintaining high-performance standards.The study of “Investigation of Electrical Conductivity and Sensor Properties of MWCNT Reinforced Nanocomposite Textile Surfaces”, not only advances the development of strain sensors but also contributes to sustainability by optimizing material usage, reducing waste from ineffective nanocomposite production and enhancing sensor efficiency, which can lead to more durable and energy-efficient smart textiles. The findings of this study have significant implications for sustainability in the development of textile-based sensors. By ensuring a uniform distribution of MWCNTs and reducing material waste during the electrospinning process, the optimized use of SDS contributes to a more efficient production method. Additionally, the improved conductivity and sensing performance of the resulting nanocomposites enhance their durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements and thereby minimizing electronic and textile waste in wearable technology applications. Beyond improving the electrospinning process and sensor functionality, this study highlights the potential for more sustainable production of nanocomposite-based textile sensors. The effective dispersion of MWCNTs reduces material waste, while the enhanced conductivity and durability contribute to longer-lasting sensors. Such advancements align with sustainable manufacturing principles by optimizing resource use, extending product life cycles and supporting the development of energy-efficient wearable technologies.Another interesting paper related to sustainability is on “Denim Fading Process of Two Different Indigo Dyed-Denim Fabrics with Laser Treatment”; the findings of this study contribute to sustainability in denim finishing by optimizing laser fading parameters, reducing the need for excessive chemical treatments, water usage and prolonged processing times. Compared to conventional enzyme washing, the optimized laser treatment minimizes resource consumption while maintaining desirable fabric properties, thus lowering the environmental impact. Additionally, by preserving fabric strength and durability, this method can extend the lifespan of denim products, reducing textile waste and promoting more sustainable manufacturing practices. This study demonstrates that optimizing laser fading parameters can significantly enhance the sustainability of denim processing by reducing water and energy consumption while maintaining fabric integrity and desirable aesthetics.Recognizing the importance, challenges and opportunities of sustainability, IJCST has created this special issue as a platform for current and future developments. The editors and editorial team hope that these selected studies will contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable textiles and inspire future research and industrial practices that drive meaningful change in the sector.