Textile Innovation, Sustainability, Survival, and the Future

The textile industry was undoubtedly one of the first sectors to be affected by the effects of globalization. Today the great and main strength of the textile industry is and will be its capacity for resilience and to recovery. But for the future, it is not enough to innovate and evolve because success is limited in time. It seems textiles are on a path that has no turning back towards sustainability. This research describes and discusses some perspectives on the future of the textile sector in Portugal in terms of its survival and sustainability. In conclusion, the future of textiles in the world, especially in Portugal, is undoubtedly challenging. It seems that the market of the future will face significant concerns related to the environmental and social impact of fashion. For humans and the textile industry to survive, the mission must demonstrate economic viability and combine truly environmentally sustainable innovation with a better life.