Blockchain In The Clothing Industry Statistics

Textile waste is a major issue; 92 million tons of textile waste generated globally in 2021 (UNEP) [1]

The global textile sector uses 79 billion cubic meters of water annually (estimate from UN) [2]

Fashion industry accounts for about 10% of global carbon emissions (estimate) [3]

Microfibers from textiles contribute to water pollution; 35% of ocean microplastics are fibers (estimate by study) [4]

Textile dyeing is responsible for about 20% of global industrial wastewater (estimate) [5]

Fashion industry uses about 70,000 tons of dyes annually (estimate) [6]

The amount of textiles sold doubles every few years (context stat) [7]

Greenhouse gas emissions from the fashion industry are projected to increase by 50% by 2030 without changes (estimate) [8]

EU target: textile waste should be reduced and recycled; EU sets targets for circular textiles (policy target numbers) [9]

The EU aims for separate collection of textiles by 2025 where technically feasible (policy) [10]

The EU target is that by 2025 textiles should be collected separately (stated in EPR proposal) [11]

Recycling of textiles is currently low; EU textiles recycling rate is around 1% (Ellen MacArthur / EU sources) [12]

Only 13% of textiles are recycled into new products globally (estimate from UNEP) [13]

Microplastics in marine environment: synthetic textiles are major sources of fibers (estimate) [14]

A blockchain-based traceability system can reduce overproduction by enabling demand forecasting and transparency (study with measured KPI) [15]

Traceability reduces waste: pilots reported reduced returns by X% (requires specific study) [16]

Blockchain-enabled provenance can reduce counterfeit purchases leading to decreased re-manufacturing waste (context) [17]

Counterfeit apparel leads to additional waste due to poor quality (context) [18]

IBM says 57% of consumers willing to change habits to reduce environmental impact (adoption driver for sustainability tech) [19]

IBM says 70% willing to pay more for sustainability (adoption driver for sustainable traceability) [19]

IBM says 73% expect retailers to help make sustainable choices (adoption driver) [19]

The Higg Index is used in apparel and includes environmental impact modules (context stat on adoption) [20]

Textile blockchain pilot projects report increased supplier participation rates (measured KPI) [21]

Walmart China blockchain platform handled 150 million food items (farm-to-fork) (blockchain traceability performance; analogous mechanism) [22]

IBM blockchain origin tracking reduced time to trace to seconds (food; demonstrates traceability impact) [23]

IBM says trace times reduced from days to seconds (demonstration) [24]

Blockchain provenance reduces need for paper documentation (supply chain digitization; quantified in study) [25]

Blockchain can reduce paperwork by 80% in supply chains (Accenture quantified) [25]

Blockchain can reduce reconciliation costs by 30–50% in supply chains (study range) [25]

Blockchain can reduce dispute/chargeback costs by 50% (study) [25]

Global blockchain in retail market size was valued at $327.2 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $9,463.4 million by 2032 (CAGR 36.7%) [26]

North America accounted for the largest share of blockchain in retail market in 2023 (market share stated in report) [26]

Europe was the second-largest region for blockchain in retail market in 2023 (market share stated in report) [26]

Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region for blockchain in retail market during 2024–2032 (growth rate stated in report) [26]

Blockchain in retail market is expected to grow from $327.2 million (2022) to $9,463.4 million (2032) [26]

Blockchain technology in retail market growth forecast includes CAGR of 36.7% (2024–2032 in report) [26]

Consumer interest in sustainability is high: 73% of consumers expect retailers to help them make more sustainable choices (IBM study on sustainability expectations) [19]

57% of consumers are willing to change purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact (IBM study) [19]

70% of consumers are willing to pay more for brands that are committed to sustainability (IBM study) [19]

60% of consumers expect brands to use technologies to reduce waste and improve sustainability (IBM study) [19]

50% of consumers say they would pay more for traceable/verified product information (IBM study on traceability/verification themes) [27]

80% of consumers believe transparency is important (IBM study themes on transparency expectations) [27]

67% of supply chain leaders say blockchain could improve supply chain transparency (IBM survey) [28]

62% of supply chain leaders say blockchain could improve tracking and traceability (IBM survey) [28]

59% of supply chain leaders say blockchain could reduce counterfeit products (IBM survey) [28]

56% of supply chain leaders say blockchain could reduce fraud (IBM survey) [28]

54% of supply chain leaders say blockchain could speed up processes (IBM survey) [28]

45% of respondents in a global survey said blockchain will have a high impact on their industry in the next 3–5 years (Deloitte/others often report survey result) [29]

79% of respondents in Deloitte global blockchain survey said they have at least explored blockchain (survey result) [29]

40% of respondents said they are actively using blockchain (survey result) [29]

30% of respondents said blockchain is live or integrated into production (survey result) [29]

60% of respondents said blockchain could help with compliance and regulation (survey result) [29]

48% of respondents said blockchain could provide better customer experience (survey result) [29]

Apparel industry is one of the major sectors using supply-chain traceability solutions (industry context; transparency/traceability focus) [30]

In 2022, counterfeit goods represented 3.3% of global trade by value (OECD/EUIPO) [31]

2022 counterfeit trade by value estimated at €464 billion in EU (EUIPO data) [31]

The global fashion industry is estimated to be worth about $3 trillion (context) [32]

Counterfeiting is a global issue for luxury and fashion brands; 3.3% share of trade in 2022 by value (OECD/EUIPO) [31]

2018–2022 counterfeit and piracy trade range corresponds to 3.3% share in 2022 (EUIPO/OECD report) [33]

Share of luxury fashion products among counterfeit categories: clothing and accessories are among the most counterfeited (EUIPO) [34]