Circular economy and environmental management strategies in textile maquilas

The textile industry constitutes a strategic macroeconomic pillar for developing countries; however, its production processes generate critical environmental externalities that call for a transition toward sustainable management models. The objective of this study was to structure a state-of-the-art review of environmental management trajectories in textile maquilas, to support a sustainability approach tailored to the Latin American context. A systematic literature review and a bibliometric analysis of scientific production indexed in Scopus for the period 2021–2025 were conducted. Data processing was carried out using RStudio (Bibliometrix) and VOSviewer software, enabling the mapping of knowledge evolution related to resource efficiency and the technical feasibility of clean technologies. The results identify three key dimensions for competitiveness: (1) technological innovation as a core mechanism for mitigating operational costs and environmental liabilities; (2) the maturation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an intangible asset aligned with international compliance standards; and (3) the operational transition toward a circular economy. In summary, the integration of these dimensions reduces the ecological footprint while optimizing financial performance in demanding global markets. This study constitutes a contribution to the design of public policies and replicable corporate strategies within the Latin American maquila sector.