Resource Efficiency and Clean Production Assessment for the Albanian Textile Manufacturing Sector

There are different methods and tools for the Resource efficiency and Cleaner Production measurements introduced. The resource efficiency is defined as the ratio of a benefit to its use of natural resources. The benefit can be a specific product or service or described by a function or functional unit. Natural resources include renewable and non-renewable primary raw materials, energy, air, water, surface area and soil, biodiversity and ecosystem services. The natural resources of primary raw materials, energy, water and surface area are predominantly relevant for businesses. The proportion of materials cost for the textile sector in Albania, is 44.8% compared to 41%, the proportion of the material cost in the manufacturing sector in general, according to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. This illustrates that enterprises are significantly impacted by their material costs and economic success hinges on price increases in the raw material market. The resource efficiency assessment under this paper has been completed under the one and half year project of the Textile and Fashion Department with UNIDO and Swedish Embassy. The procedure for implementing resource efficiency measures is divided into five steps analysis, solution development, evaluation, implementation and control. Six manufacturing enterprises in the garment and footwear production have been identified and assessed with some important KPIs. 29 measures have been suggested for the six companies giving the savings amount and the investment payback period.