Textile Sector Meets at Sustainability Workshop

Textile Sector Convenes on Sustainability Workshop

The Department of Textile Engineering at Pamukkale University's Faculty of Engineering organized a "Textile Sustainability Workshop." The "Textile Sustainability Workshop," held as a seven-session event at the PAÜ Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Yılmaz Congress and Culture Center, brought together sector stakeholders. Leading figures from the sector shared their experience and knowledge with participants at the workshop. "Economic Development Without Harming Nature and Society is the Only Right Path" Prof. Dr. Yıldıray Turhan, Head of PAÜ's Department of Textile Engineering, made remarks at the workshop. Emphasizing that the workshop was an important meeting point for the sector, Turhan stated: "Since industrialization began in the 18th century, production and economic development networks have inflicted irreparable damage on nature and humanity. By the late 20th century, we finally came to understand the causes of climate change, though late. However, this change and the resulting damage proved irreparable. It appears that this century will be consumed by major efforts to compensate for our mistakes and repair the damage we have caused. In this century, it has become clear that production alone has no meaning for development and must be sustainable—in other words, economic development without harming nature and society is the only right path. As scientists, we are aware of this reality and have assumed this responsibility. We will take on important roles in informing, compensating for damage, and providing guidance on this matter. For this reason, such a workshop will be a beginning for our University and for us," he said.

Textile Sector is an Energy-Intensive Industry

Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Ağdağ, Dean of PAÜ's Faculty of Engineering, emphasized the importance of acting together for the development of the textile sector. Ağdağ said: "The term sustainability is an important word that has entered the literature over the last 20-25 years. In this workshop, the concept of sustainability will be discussed extensively regarding textile production, textile technologies, and perhaps marketing. As a member of the Department of Environmental Engineering, I would like to speak somewhat about sustainability in production while protecting nature and causing minimum damage to it, at the intersection of textiles and environmental engineering. The textile sector is an energy-intensive industry that also uses considerable amounts of water, particularly in dyehouses."

Textile Technologies Should Be Used for Environmentally Compatible Development of Textiles

Ağdağ continued: "In 1996, when I came to Denizli as a research assistant, it was said that when drilling to extract groundwater, water was found at 30 meters depth. Today, water can only be found at 200, 250 meters or deeper. From this perspective, I believe that together with developments in the textile sector, we could have achieved this sustainability by protecting the environment in terms of soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution. Because industrialization carried out without protecting the environment ultimately shows us that it is not sustainable in subsequent phases. "Globally, warming, climate change, and carbon emissions are very important agenda items. While carbon emissions are expected to drop by one and a half times by 2030, emissions in G20 countries have increased by 5.3 percent. This is an issue that requires intense thought and focus. For this reason, if textile technologies, the sustainability of textiles, and at least as a consideration the development of textiles in compatibility with the environment are taken into account in this workshop, I believe it will be better for the development of the textile sector in future processes. I wish for a productive symposium and present my respects to all of you," he concluded. Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kutluhan, who underlined PAÜ's important contributions to Denizli, said in his address: "In this year when we celebrate our University's 30th anniversary, it is fortunate timing that TMMOB TMO (Chamber of Textile Engineers) is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. As a university, we have accomplished great work. I see this workshop as one of our 30-year themes. Our University has addressed many topics with great enthusiasm to work on our 30-year theme. One of those topics was sustainability," he said.

"Denizli Received the Green City Award"

Emphasizing that sustainability is currently the world's most important issue, Kutluhan said: "While you think you are growing by destroying and ruining, you believe you will not harm yourselves, but ultimately everyone will go over a cliff. The world realizing this was also a major event. After this was understood, major nations signed on late. As Denizli, we have taken very important steps on sustainability. Denizli received the Green City Award. Our University received certification for zero waste. Our University understood earlier that development can be both social, economic, and environmental. We are working to take this further. Since our policy is one of integration with the city, we are informed about events in the city," he said.

"Textile Archaeology, a Multidisciplinary Field of Study, Will Be a Major Achievement"

Rector Kutluhan continued: "Particularly regarding the integration of industry and university, we had previously held meetings on what we could do in industry. One of the topics of this meeting was sustainability. Textiles hold an important place in Denizli's exports. It plays an important role in the promotion of Denizli. Textiles are a historically significant sectoral structure. In Laodikeia, we find textile products from 7,500 years ago. Textile Archaeology, a multidisciplinary field of study that we have now recognized, will be a major achievement. I believe that in addition to an archaeological textile museum, a handicrafts museum will greatly benefit us."