## 4 Results and Discussion on the Survey
### Analysis of the Main Results of the Survey
Additionally, the high female workforce participation (68% in many companies) and the inclusion of disabled workers (see Figure 7) reflect the industry's growing commitment to social inclusivity. This aligns with circular economy principles, promoting not only environmental sustainability but also social responsibility. Fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce helps the sector remain adaptable and ensures that sustainable practices are widely embraced. The social challenges highlighted are listed in Table 14. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l} \hline \hline
**Main Challenges** & **Focus** \\ \hline Lack of generational turnover &
\begin{tabular}{l} Need to attract younger talent to \\ drive innovation \\ \end{tabular} \\ Social inclusion and equal opportunity & Continuing to promote inclusivity \\ \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 14: Challenges and focus related to workforce characteristics. Figure 6: Answers to Question 7. Figure 7: Answers to Question 9. Sustainability Certifications and Transparency. The data reveal that 57% of companies in the Italian textile sector have at least one sustainability certification, with common certifications including OEKO-TEX [39], GOTS [40], and GRS [41], as shown in Figure 8.  
The most common certifications, such as OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and GRS, are undoubtedly positive indicators of companies' commitment to sustainability:  
* OEKO-TEX primarily focuses on the safety of textile products, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals. This is an essential step in protecting consumer health and reducing chemical pollution. * GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies products made from organic fibers, but also includes strict environmental and social criteria throughout the production chain. This represents a significant commitment to environmental and worker rights. * GRS (Global Recycle Standard) focuses on the use of recycled materials in the production process, promoting waste reduction and the use of existing resources. This indicates that many companies are adopting specific eco-friendly practices but are not yet fully embracing a comprehensive circular business model. These initiatives are often limited to specific practices that are not sufficient to ensure a lasting positive impact on the overall system. In many cases, companies  
* Do not integrate sustainability across all stages of the product life cycle;
* Focus more on reducing direct environmental impacts during production, without considering the end-of-life of products or interactions with other stages in the supply chain. For instance, companies using recycled or natural materials do not have systems in place for post-consumer recycling, which limits their ability to truly reduce textile waste. Circular economy theories emphasize the need for a holistic approach that integrates circular practices across all production stages, rather than isolated sustainable actions. The main challenges related to certifications are shown in Table 15.  
Figure 8: Answers to Question 12. Technologies for Sustainability. Technologies for sustainability are a crucial pillar for the transition to a circular economy, but the data highlight that the Italian textile sector is still adopting such technologies in a limited way. Only 40% of the companies surveyed use renewable energy, a positive figure, but it indicates that most businesses have not yet fully integrated clean energy into their operations. Similarly, only 14% have adopted water recycling systems, another essential aspect to reduce environmental impact, suggesting that there is still significant room for growth in this area. Although a significant portion of companies (27%) has implemented optimization practices such as reducing the use of water and chemicals, which represent more immediate and lower-cost approaches, the adoption of closed-loop systems for water and chemical reuse remains marginal, with only 4% of companies applying this practice (see Figure 9).