IHKIB launches “Twin Transition” project to help apparel suppliers meet brands’ low-carbon and traceability demands

With a long-standing role in coordinating the export-oriented apparel ecosystem, the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB) has launched a new industry project designed to support suppliers as global brands raise expectations around traceability, low-carbon production and digital reporting. The initiative builds on İHKİB’s sector-wide convening capacity and its operational infrastructure — including the İHKİB Digital Transformation Center (DDM) — to deliver a structured transformation roadmap for manufacturers.

The 12-month project, titled “Twin Transition in the Apparel Supply Chain,” is supported by the Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA) under the 2025 Twin Transition Financial Support Programme. İHKİB says the project is designed to help manufacturers build capability across both green transformation and digitalization, positioning suppliers to better respond to export-market expectations while improving competitiveness and productivity.

“Türkiye’s apparel sector has long been a strategic pillar of our export economy. With this project, we aim to strengthen the industry’s existing advantages by accelerating both green and digital transformation, and to build a sustainable, long-term capability base for our supply chain,” said Mustafa Paşahan, Vice President of İHKİB.

 

Digital + green service hub for suppliers

A central element of the project is the expansion of İHKİB’s Digital Transformation Center (DDM) into a Digital and Green Transformation Service Point, providing structured support for companies participating in the project.

Planned activities include digital and sustainability transformation assessments to measure operational and sustainability maturity, roadmaps, mentoring and advisory support for supplier upgrades, online seminars focused on transformation, including access to finance and consultancy for companies seeking EU and national funding schemes to accelerate transformation investments.

The project is implemented by İHKİB, in partnership with the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), and includes participation from 20+ companies, alongside engagement from institutions and global brand representatives.

 

Council to support sector alignment with export-market requirements

Project plans also include establishing a Twin Transition Council involving national and international stakeholders to support alignment with market expectations and contribute to broader sector-level transformation approaches.

The roadmap is structured around 10 core activities, culminating in an international conference titled: “Türkiye in the Twin Transition of the Apparel Supply Chain.”

The project was formally launched at a kick-off meeting at IHKIB premises in Istanbul, where stakeholders discussed the need for productivity-focused transformation efforts in the apparel sector.