Although the widespread release of microfibers (MFs) from textile production and consumption is well-recognized, regional disparities and MF flows embodied in trade remain poorly understood. This study performed an environmental extended multiregional input–output model to trace the MFs footprint of China's textile trade. Results showed that 224, 182, and 208 trillion textile MFs were emitted in 2012, 2015, and 2017. Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Fujian Provinces were the largest contributors, linked to cotton, chemical fibers, and blended fabrics. Significant industry agglomeration was confirmed by the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient, with the top five provinces accounting for 93.5% to 96.4% of emissions. Microfibers embodied in trade declined from 151 billion in 2012 to 121 billion in 2017, with 61.3% of provinces engaged in bilateral trade among which 52.6% were net importers. Spillover effects were evident as flows shifted from the Southeast Coast toward North China. Structural decomposition analysis identified demand structure (−46.7%), input–output structure (−41.0%), and emission intensity (−20.1%) as major inhibitory drivers, while demand scale (7.8%) facilitated emissions. The study highlights the potential environmental risks of MFs pollution in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and provides actionable insights for policy makers to design regionally differentiated mitigation strategies that support sustainable textile production.
Yu et al. (2025) studied this question.