The Brussels Textiles Forum 2026 brought renewed focus to the future of European textiles. EURATEX hosted the event on 11 June, drawing 150 participants from across the textile and apparel ecosystem. EU institutions, industry leaders, trade unions and consumer organisations all attended. Sponsored by Indorama Ventures, the Forum tackled the sector's most pressing challenges directly.
A Critical Juncture for the Sector
Europe's textile and clothing industry faces mounting pressures on multiple fronts. High energy prices, intense global competition, growing regulatory requirements and rising e-commerce imports are reshaping operating conditions. Geopolitical uncertainty adds further complexity for manufacturers and exporters across the continent.
EURATEX President Mário Jorge Machado framed the challenge clearly in his opening address. Europe does not have a textile problem — it has a competitiveness problem. European textile companies are prepared to invest, innovate and decarbonise, but they require fair rules, affordable energy, effective enforcement and stable industrial conditions to keep production in Europe.
Competitiveness, Circularity and Policy Priorities
Morning sessions addressed the EU's competitiveness agenda and the strategic future of textile and clothing manufacturing. Speakers called for reduced administrative burdens, a stronger Single Market, greater access to investment and uniform enforcement of EU rules across all market participants. The debate confirmed textiles' critical role beyond fashion — spanning healthcare, construction, transport, agriculture and defence.
A multi-stakeholder panel brought together industry representatives, European Parliament members, trade unions and consumer groups. Participants focused on making circularity economically viable, deploying public procurement strategically, retaining industrial expertise and building consumer trust. The consensus was clear: progress requires cooperation across the full value chain.
Afternoon sessions examined the specific policy files shaping the sector's near-term future. Topics included eco-design requirements and the Digital Product Passport, customs reform and e-commerce import controls, energy transition and decarbonisation, trade diversification, textile waste and the Circular Economy Act, and the forthcoming European Product Act. One conclusion ran across all sessions: sustainability, competitiveness and enforcement must advance in tandem.
EURATEX at 30: A Legacy of Unified Advocacy
The Forum concluded with a celebration of EURATEX's 30th anniversary. Honorary presidents recalled the organisation's origins and its three decades of building a unified industry voice in Brussels. The milestone underscored how European textiles have endured and adapted through globalisation, supply chain disruptions, energy shocks and regulatory complexity.
The anniversary carried a strong message of resilience through cooperation. For B2B professionals tracking sector developments, the textile news section on Textilezon covers ongoing policy and industry updates. The right industrial conditions — fair competition, affordable energy and coherent EU-wide regulation — will determine the sector's trajectory in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brussels Textiles Forum?
The Brussels Textiles Forum is an annual event organised by EURATEX. It convenes textile and apparel stakeholders, EU policymakers, trade unions and consumer organisations to debate sector challenges and shape industry policy priorities.
Who sponsored the Brussels Textiles Forum 2026?
Indorama Ventures sponsored the 2026 edition. The event attracted 150 participants from the European textile ecosystem, EU institutions, social partners and consumer organisations on 11 June.
What were the key outcomes of the 2026 Forum?
The Forum confirmed that European textiles require affordable energy, fair competition rules and consistent EU-wide enforcement to remain competitive. Participants agreed that sustainability, competitiveness and regulatory coherence must advance together to sustain production across Europe.
