Textile

The purpose of CircularTex is to develop and test new textile solutions and value propositions for markets that will lead to a slowing of textile resource loops. By working with both supply (producers) and demand (private/public consumers), the project will create 4 pilots that are aligned with local market needs, developed through a user-led design process, and based on new CE design strategies (RM: 25,26,27)

In the textile industry, a 75% reduction in new products is needed to reach the climate goals (Fletcher et al, 2019). Such a reduction is only possible if there is a close collaboration between suppliers and consumers to ensure that every textile produced is fully matched to the customers' needs instead of today's over-production of poorly developed textiles that result in premature disposal, deadstock etc. (RM: p. 15-16).

Present research in slowing resource loops points to the importance of integrating the customer perspective (Salvador et. al, 2020;) and increasing the collaboration between the supply and demand side (Bocken, 2018). Unfortunately, there is very little research on how textile products perform and create value in the use phase (Wiedemann et al, 2020) as well as little knowledge about how such interaction can be facilitated in the textile industry.

Through the development of 5 textile pilots, this project offers new unique insights into the kind of solutions and value propositions that future textile solutions should offer as well as relevant guidance for collaboration between textile suppliers and private/public textile customers.

CircularTex creates value by testing and developing new business opportunities and public procurement practices supporting a circular transition in the textile sector. Through the 4 pilots, we will test and develop solutions and value propositions that will lead to a slowing of

textile resource loops and have a significant impact on CO₂reductions. It is estimated that approximately 10 tonnes of CO₂ is saved for each tonne of textile being reused or recycled1. Furthermore, the pilots will create value through testing how textiles can be kept in circulation for longer, thereby saving resources by avoiding new production, and potentially create new jobs to ensure this, once the pilots are scaled.

Participating partners:  Aalborg University,  IKEA Aalborg, Vraa Dampvaskeri, Gabriel A/S and HOLMRIS B8.