Design a sustainable supply chain for the textile and clothing industry with consideration of carbon emissions

Abstract

The clothing industry accounts for nearly 60% of the global textile industry. It is largely responsible for the consumption of non-renewable resources. According to studies, it is responsible for nearly 10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the world (Cuc and Vidovic (2014)). The aim of this article is to propose a planning approach that integrates two decision levels (strategic and tactical), using a new mixed integer linear programming model (MILP) that integrates carbon emissions in SCMP (Supply Chain Management Planning). This approach must be used in a general way in all SCMP industries for the control of carbon flows and resources. It could be used as a decision support tool to evaluate and monitor the effects of carbon emissions. This tool offer to the industrials the best choices at different stages (selection of suppliers, plants, transportation modes, storage etc.), with lower cost and carbon emissions. For this purpose, the approach is tested on several scenarios, based on severals literature case studies in the textile and clothing sectors. The results show that carbon price uncertainty would significantly influence the economic and environmental management of the supply chain, and the repartition of the manufacturing activity (insource or outsource). Over a range of carbon price scenarios, the results show a reduction over to 36% in carbon emissions in the supply chain.