## 1 Introduction
In current CE literatures, they mostly focused on establishing a general framework of CE barriers [21] while some studies have mentioned the need for exploring barriers in specific business models or sectors [22; 23; 24; 25]. Yet, the supply chain of the textile sector is a significant contributor to the global economy, and its system of distributing raw materials, producing, and consuming clothing operates majorly in a traditional or linear manner [26]. A circular economy is considered a stepping-stone to improve the production and consumption system for the textile sector [27; 28]. By pushing the textile industry toward CE, it can potentially reduce the production of raw materials and reengineering processes in the product lifecycle in the textile sector and thus decrease the environmental effects in the textile sector [29]. In addition, the implementation of CE in the textile sector is still facing a few issues, and a systematic analysis of the different barriers related to the industry has yet to be undertaken. However, there is very little in the literature on the implementation of CE in the textile sector. Therefore, the present study has proposed a novel approach for analyzing CE implementation barriers. As for some similar studies, [PERSON] et al. [30] analyzed CE practices for the agriculture sector, and [PERSON] et al. [31] studied manufacturing companies, whereas [PERSON] et al. [32] have introduced a new business model for sustainable consumption with CE. [PERSON] et al. [33] analyzed the issue of setting policies for CE implementation. [PERSON] et al. [34] built a performance measure of CE outcomes for plastic sector applications, and a review of the literature for success and failure factors, drivers, and practices related to CE [35; 36]. As had happened among previous studies of challenges, drivers and barriers are anticipated to be present in case of the implementation of CE [37]. Based on the above conditions, it is necessary to determine these key barriers of CE implementation in the textile sector. It is important to comprehend the primary barriers to CE adoption in the textile supply chain [38]. This supports the current study to determine and analyze the key barriers to the implementation of CE. Determination and analysis of the cause-effect relationships among barriers in the textile sector would support policymakers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders. Therefore, the present study's main objectives are the following:  
to determine barriers to CE adoption in the textile sector by evaluating the current literature and incorporating expert opinions to select the appropriate barriers;  
and, using the DEMATEL model, develop cause-and-effect relationships between key CE implementation barriers. In order to achieve the present study objectives, the current study begins with the review of the literature to identify the barriers related to the implementation of CE. To further conform to the barriers, a set of questionnaires was prepared and expert options were taken of textile sector experts. After that, we performed the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) to find key barriers with help of the experts' assessments from different textile companies in Taiwan [39]. Finally, the DEMATEL method is used to analyze the cause-effect relationships between key barriers [40]. Based on DEMATEL findings, barriers to CE adoption have been categorized into cause and effect groups. In fact, the DEMATEL approach was first developed in 1976 by the Battelle Memorial Institute of Geneva's research for the science and human relations program [41]. It is a powerful causal analysis technique that allows researchers to classify any criteria of the system into cause and effect groups [42]. Moreover, the DEMATEL approach can analyze the inter-relationships between the barriers. In addition, this technique helps to develop a graph depicting the cause-effect interaction within barriers or criteria. This can be used to identify and resolve complex issues [43].