Textile

Unblend

UnBlend

Project Overview

Project Period: Maj 2025 - April 2027

Project Status: In Progress   Pool: TRACE Pool 2.2

Lead: Danish Technological Institute

UnBlend is a circular innovation project addressing the complex challenges of performance textiles (upholstery and carpets). It aims to develop a universal blueprint for the circular economy by integrating strategies for longevity, reuse, and fibre-to-fibre recycling. Led by DTU Chemical Engineering, the project supports the transformation of the textile sector towards circularity.

Project Partners: Danish Technological Institute, Design School Kolding, Dansk Wilton, Technical University of Denmark, Gabriel A/S, Sheworks

Key Objectives

  • Develop a circular design guide for performance textiles
  • Repurpose post-industrial waste into products comprising over 80% recycled content
  • Advance chemical/mechanical fibre disassembly technologies for wool/nylon blends (target: TRL 5 and €2.5/kg nylon recovery)

Expected Impact

UnBlend tackles a major environmental challenge, promoting high-value reuse and recycling of complex textile blends. The project could lead to CO₂ reductions of up to 22,000 tonnes annually and support Denmark’s climate goals. With open-access resources and commercial implementation, UnBlend is set to benefit both industry and society, creating up to 10 new jobs and strengthening Denmark’s global position in sustainable textiles.

 

Work Packages

  1. Project Management – Coordination and stakeholder engagement 
  2. Design – Circular Strategies – Lifespan extension and design guidelines 
  3. Reuse – Repurposing – Development of new textile designs from waste 
  4. Recycling – Fibre Disassembly – Mild separation and material recovery 
  5. Products and Business Strategies – Integration into commercial products 
  6. Sustainability Evaluation – Environmental impact and MECO analysis 

 

Timeline and Budget

  • Project duration: January 2025 – December 2026 (24 months)
  • Total budget (incl. overhead): DKK 10,886,680
  • Amount applied for (incl. overhead): DKK 7,274,860
  • Funding rate from Trace: 66.8%

Participating Institutions and Companies

  • Lead Organisation: Danish Technological Institute (DTI)
  • Partners:
    • DTU Chemical Engineering (DTU)
    • Kolding School of Design (KSD)
    • Sheworks (SW)
    • Gabriel
    • Dansk Wilton (DW)

Project Leader

Julie Bender Trads

jutr@teknologisk.dk>lmni@create.aau.dk

 

 

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