Short answer
Prioritize the development of circular solutions that are demonstrably cost-effective and profitable to overcome the primary barrier to adoption in the Indian textile industry.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Discover Sustainability (2025)
- Method
- Expert review and DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) analysis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The perceived lack of economic feasibility is the most significant barrier hindering the adoption of circular economy practices in the Indian textile industry, influencing other challenges. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Discover Sustainability. Using Expert review and dematel (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory) analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the development of circular solutions that are demonstrably cost-effective and profitable to overcome the primary barrier to adoption in the Indian textile industry.
Economic Feasibility is the Primary Barrier to Circular Economy Adoption in Indian Textiles
The perceived lack of economic feasibility is the most significant barrier hindering the adoption of circular economy practices in the Indian textile industry, influencing other challenges.
Discover Sustainability · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Lack of economic feasibility is identified as a critical cause barrier.
- 02Six barriers are identified as causes: Lack of Policies and Regulations, Lack of Awareness and Knowledge about CE Practices, Limited Market for Recycled Materials and Products, High Operational Cost, Lack of Infrastructural Facilities, and Design for X.
- 03Five barriers are identified as effects: Lack of Economic Feasibility, Lack of Skilled workforce, Lack of Awareness about Environmental Impact, Limited Tax Relief and Rewarding Policies, and Limited Recycling Technologies for Blended Fabrics.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize the development of circular solutions that are demonstrably cost-effective and profitable to overcome the primary barrier to adoption in the Indian textile industry.
How to apply
When developing circular economy strategies for textile products, conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis that accounts for the entire product lifecycle and explore innovative revenue streams from recycled materials.
Project actions
- 01When researching sustainable design, consider the economic feasibility of your proposed solutions.
- 02Investigate how policy and market demand can influence the adoption of circular practices.
- 03Use frameworks like DEMATEL to understand the complex relationships between different design challenges.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Identifies and prioritizes barriers using a robust analytical method (DEMATEL).
- +Provides a nuanced understanding of the interrelationships between barriers.
- +Focuses on a critical industry with significant environmental impact.
Limitations
The findings are specific to the Indian textile context and may not apply universally. The reliance on expert opinion introduces potential bias.
Reliability & validity
The use of DEMATEL with expert validation enhances the reliability and validity of the barrier prioritization. However, the subjective nature of expert opinions can be a limitation.
Think critically
How can designers proactively address the perceived lack of economic feasibility in circular design, even when external factors like policy and market demand are not yet supportive?
Design Principles
"Economic viability is a prerequisite for widespread adoption of sustainable design practices."
Understanding the root causes of resistance to sustainable practices is crucial for developing effective implementation strategies. By identifying and prioritizing these barriers, designers and businesses can allocate resources more efficiently to overcome obstacles and drive the transition towards a circular economy.
What This Means for Your Design
The main reason Indian textile companies aren't using more eco-friendly, circular methods is that they think it costs too much money. This money problem causes other issues, like not having the right technology or skilled workers.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the challenges of implementing sustainable design strategies, particularly concerning economic factors.
- 2.Use the identified barriers as a framework for analyzing the feasibility of your own design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that the primary obstacle to implementing circular economy practices in the Indian textile industry is the perceived lack of economic feasibility. This core issue, alongside factors such as policy gaps and high operational costs, contributes to a range of secondary challenges, including limited market opportunities for recycled goods and insufficient technological infrastructure for processing blended fabrics. Therefore, any design project aiming for circularity in this sector must rigorously address and demonstrate economic viability to ensure successful adoption.
Source
Discover Sustainability
Barriers to adopting circular economy practices in Indian textile industries
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about economic feasibility is the primary barrier to circular economy adoption in indian textiles?
- Prioritize the development of circular solutions that are demonstrably cost-effective and profitable to overcome the primary barrier to adoption in the Indian textile industry. Evidence: Discover Sustainability (2025).
- Why does "Economic Feasibility is the Primary Barrier to Circular Economy Adoption in Indian Textiles" matter for design?
- Understanding the root causes of resistance to sustainable practices is crucial for developing effective implementation strategies. By identifying and prioritizing these barriers, designers and businesses can allocate resources more efficiently to overcome obstacles and drive the transition towards a circular economy.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize the development of circular solutions that are demonstrably cost-effective and profitable to overcome the primary barrier to adoption in the Indian textile industry.
- What were the main findings?
- Lack of economic feasibility is identified as a critical cause barrier.. Six barriers are identified as causes: Lack of Policies and Regulations, Lack of Awareness and Knowledge about CE Practices, Limited Market for Recycled Materials and Products, High Operational Cost, Lack of Infrastructural Facilities, and Design for X.. Five barriers are identified as effects: Lack of Economic Feasibility, Lack of Skilled workforce, Lack of Awareness about Environmental Impact, Limited Tax Relief and Rewarding Policies, and Limited Recycling Technologies for Blended Fabrics.
- What research method was used?
- Expert review and DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Discover Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing circular economy strategies for textile products, conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis that accounts for the entire product lifecycle and explore innovative revenue streams from recycled materials.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses specifically on the Indian textile industry and may not be directly generalizable to other sectors or geographical regions. The DEMATEL method relies on expert judgment, which can introduce subjectivity.