Transitioning the silk industry towards circularity: A thematic analysis of sustainable value chain practices

Abstract

The demand for natural fibers, including silk, is steadily rising, yet research on transitioning the silk industry from a traditional linear model to a circular economy still needs to grow. This study addresses this gap by outlining areas of interest to support silk companies in applying circular practices to achieve sustainability. To this end, ten semi-structured interviews with silk industry experts were carried out, and a thematic analysis was conducted, integrating findings from the extant literature to enhance the depth and contextualization of the results. Six critical themes emerged: waste utilization, circular approaches, consumer education, technology advancement, traceability and transparency, and governmental regulations. The findings reveal that production waste, such as mulberry branches, silkworm litter, low-grade cocoons, and sericin, can be repurposed into fertilizers, animal feed, cosmetics, and textiles, offering both environmental and economic benefits. Circular practices like designing for product longevity, minimizing chemical usage, reusing silk garments, and promoting recycling are key to achieving resource optimization and waste reduction. Technology advancements, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, enhance efficiency and ensure traceability and transparency, fostering stakeholder trust. Consumer education is also vital for creating awareness regarding sustainable practices. Additionally, government policies play a transformative role by supporting training programs, incentivizing innovation, and driving circularity within the industry. This study proposed a theoretical framework that offers actionable insights to industry practitioners, researchers, and policymakers for embedding circularity throughout the silk industry, contributing to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly responsible consumption and production. Future research should explore barriers to attaining circularity and use mixed methodologies to accelerate the silk industry's transition to a circular economy.