May 14 in Cairo saw the closing ceremony for the SwitchMed MED TEST III project, which has set out a roadmap for a Sustainable and Circular Textile Value Chain in Egypt. This project is the result of collaboration between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the European Union (EU), with the support of Egypt’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Environment. Its aim is to ensure pre-consumer textile waste returns to the industry while the use of harmful chemicals in dyeing and finishing processes is reduced.

Sharabati’s Alroubaia Fourtex Textile Co, whose two fully integrated mills in Egypt and Turkey have a combined production capacity of 140 million meters per year, took part in this project. Although even before joining the project, Alroubaia had both a Sustainable Purchasing Policy and a chemical Inventory List (CIL) in place, following the creation of the roadmap, the company can now be in line with the latest international standards. Sharabati’s Alroubaia Fourtex Textile Co. was able to further eliminate numerous chemicals from its production processes and satisfy the demands of international clients, who are increasingly asking for stricter environmental safeguards. Sharabati is happy to take a pro-active stance, as sustainability has always been one of the company’s core values.