China's first carbon-neutral smart textile factory begins production

China's first carbon-neutral factory in the textile sector, located in East China's Jiangsu province, has officially entered production and is on track to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2027, according to its operator.

The smart spinning factory, operated by Jiangsu Dasheng Group Co Ltd, began production in late October. Founded in 1895 by renowned industrial entrepreneur Zhang Jian, the group boasts a long-standing legacy in China's textile industry.

With a total investment of 187 million yuan ($26.3 million), the factory can produce 6,120 metric tons of carbon-neutral yarns annually, an increase of 50 percent capacity following a yearlong upgrade and renovation.

Through energy-saving renovations and equipment efficiency upgrades, production efficiency has risen by over 30 percent, while cutting comprehensive energy consumption by more than 20 percent.

The factory has achieved a 100 percent stable supply of green electricity, and its intelligent lighting control system has enabled the operation of a "lights-out factory", according to the company.

"Integrating into the tide of globalization and marketization, Jiangsu Dasheng Group has continued to drive innovation in technology, design, products and business models," said Sun Ruizhe, president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council.

"In particular, over the past few years, the group has accelerated its intelligent and digital transformation while increasingly shifting toward green development," he added.

China's textile and apparel manufacturers are ramping up efforts to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the sector's green transition. As a core hub for global textile and apparel production and consumption, China processes over 50 percent of the world's textile fibers, said the China Textile Information Center.