New research project focuses on circularity and sustainability
Circular and Sustainable Textiles and Clothing (CISUTAC) is a new research programme launched as part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s platform for research and innovation. It brings together a wide consortium of companies across the entire supply chain, from research centres and universities to used clothes collectors, totalling 27 partners.
The 48-month project is designed to facilitate the transition to a circular economy by finding solutions for the barriers that are keeping materials from staying in the loop. Its objective “is to minimise the sector’s total environmental impact by developing new, sustainable and integrated large-scale European value chains,” as stated in the press release.
To achieve the highest impact, the research programme will focus on polyester and cotton/cellulose, two fibre groups that are believed to represent nearly 90% of all textile fibres. It will also concentrate its efforts on three sectors – fashion, activewear and workwear – that are trailing in reaching the EU’s Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, published last March.
Three pilot phases already planned will be tasked with demonstrating the feasibility and value of 1° repairing and disassembly, 2° sorting, and 3° fibre-to-fibre recycling for circular garments.
The research phase is led by Belgian lab and research centre Centexbel. Industry partners include Circular Systems, Decathlon, Erema Group, Lenzing, Oxfam, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), RReuse, Sioen Apparel, Södra, TexAid, and Wageningen University & Research, to name a few. Horizon Europe projects are co-funded by the European Union.
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