Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 1
Written by Agatha POPESCU, Valentin ŞERBAN, Mirela STANCIU

The goal of the paper was to analyze and present the way in which sericiculture and silk and silk textile industry has succeeded and what it should done to be entirely attain the sustainability goals along the product chain. The statistical data have been provided by International Sericicultural Commission, UNESCO, European Union and have been processed using regression equations to assess the trends in the dynamics of silk production globally and in China and India, the top silk producing countries in the interval 2016-2023. A large number of articles, published in well-known scientific research reviews were carefully studied bringing the novelties regarding the new solutions for a sustainable silk production, textile and clothes industry. The study presents a selection of various opinions, experiments, innovations, sustainable technologies, procedures, products and case studies. The results showed a positive trend in global silk output which in 2023 attained 94 Thousand MT, being by 2.95% higher than in 2022, the main contributors being China by 53.2% and India by 41.4%. Silkworm growing based on mulberry leaves should pass on a larger scale to eco-friendly and animal-friendly solutions like "peace silk" production system, and also important measures must be taken to improve work conditions, gender discrimination, to implement integrated system to sustain productivity, silk and textiles quality and efficiency. Genetic engineering and biotechnology have to be more involved in bringing new solutions for enlarging silk fibers offer, and smart silk-based textiles, silk-based sensors and biomaterials to look for new applications. The revival of silk garments as a feed-back to the end of"fast fashion" must continue to offer new high quality and long lasting clothes in various designs, colors, textures, based on traditional inspirations, and on the minimalist principle, preserving silk precious and unique features, elegance and luxury appearance to better satisfy modern consumers.

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