Femnet e.V.

News about Our Work -

24 November 2021 Sustainability is not in vain. Pricing of sustainable textiles in procurement by large consumers

The study ‘Sustainability is not in vain’ has just been published. It provides information on the background and pricing of sustainable workwear and flat linen. A worthwhile read!

Large public and private consumers procure a significant amount of workwear and flat linen (i.e. bed linen and towels). However, whether they procure the textiles they use, taking into account social and environmental criteria, plays a major role because of their joint leverage effect. The total annual public procurement volume is in the mid-three-digit billion range. The procurement of textiles by public and private health and care institutions is also of high relevance. Hospitals and (partially) inpatient care facilities should be considered here in particular. If they were to procure all textiles in compliance with sustainability standards, they could have a large Contributing to the achievement of the UN Development Goals and the Paris climate goals to perform. The pressure to act is therefore clear. At the same time, many large consumers are reluctant to switch to sustainable workwear and flat linen due to the assumed higher prices of sustainable products. This is precisely why reliable figures are needed for the pricing of sustainable procurement.

Since the current data situation is more than incomplete, the study ‘Sustainability is not in vain’ seeks to identify the relevant factors for pricing or differences in the pricing of conventional textiles compared to sustainable textiles by incorporating the expertise of the various actors (manufacturers, suppliers, textile service companies, buyers, purchasing associations, associations, experts). It differentiates between manufacturer prices, dealer prices, offer prices and care prices, deals with rental and purchase models and illustrates the impact of sustainability standards on the price of textiles using concrete case studies for workwear and flat linen. In addition, the study also covers initial approaches to integrating life cycle costs into the supply of workwear and flat linen.

Rounded off by recommendations that differentiate between different stakeholder groups (politics, large consumers, suppliers) and a comprehensive service section, the study is a helpful read for all those involved in textile procurement, including beginners.