New Project to Develop Recyclable Outdoor and Work Clothing from Bio-based Materials

A new project has been launched to develop recyclable outdoor and work clothing made from renewable bio-based materials.

• The project, called BioFibreLoop, kicked off at an event in Denkendorf, Germany on 26 and 27 June.
• The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung - DITF) will coordinate the research project, which is funded as part of the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
• The BioFibreLoop project has a duration of 42 months and a total budget of almost €7 million, with €1.5 million going to the coordinator DITF.

THE CONTEXT: The textiles industry is facing two challenges: on the one hand, production must become more sustainable and environment-friendly and, on the other, consumers are expecting more and more smart functions from clothing.

• In addition, the production of functional textiles often involves the use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment and health and make subsequent recycling more difficult.
• Intelligent innovations must therefore ensure that harmful chemicals are replaced, water is saved and more durable, recyclable bio-based materials are used, thereby reducing the usually considerable carbon footprint of textile products.
• Digitalised processes are intended to ensure greater efficiency and a closed cycle.

THE TECHNOLOGY: The BioFibreLoop project will be using laser technology to imitate natural structures in order to produce garments with water and oil-repellent, self-cleaning and antibacterial properties.

• At the end, result of the research work will be affordable, and resource and environment-friendly, yet high-performance and durable fibres and textiles made from renewable sources such as lignin, cellulose and polylactic acid will be available.
• All processes are aimed at a circular economy with comprehensive recycling and virtually waste-free functionalisation based on nature's example. In this way, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 20% by 2035.
• The technology for the functionalisation and recycling of bio-based materials is being developed in three industrial demonstration projects in Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany.
• At the end of the project, a patented circular, sustainable and reliable process for the production of recyclable functional textiles will be established.

THE PARTNERS: The consortium consists of 13 partners from nine countries who contribute expertise and resources from science and industry:

1. BAT Graphics Vernitech, France
2. BEES - BE Engineers for Society, Italy
3. Centre Technologique ALPhANOV, France
4. Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø, Denmark
5. FreyZein Urban Outdoor GmbH, Austria
6. G. Knopf’s Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
7. German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), Coordinator, Germany
8. Idener Research & Development Agrupacion de Interes Economico, Spain
9. Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum, Belgium
10. Next Technology Tecnotessile Società nazionale di ricerca R. L., Italy
11. NIL Textile SRO, Czech Republic
12. Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH, Germany
13. Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy, Finland