Euratex proposes industrial-scale recycling hubs as part of fresh strategy
The European Commission is due to publish its EU Sustainable Textiles Strategy and a “transition pathway” , and the association wants to contribute.
It said compulsory textile recycling – by 2025 and even before in some member states – is a challenge, but also an opportunity for the industry to develop a coordinated recycling strategy at European level. It proposes an industrial-scale recycling hub with capacity to collect and upcycle 5 million tonnes of textile waste.
It said: “Many of the technologies for making that transition already exist but investments are needed to bring the circularity to industrial scale in the European textile sector. Capital base within the industry is limited and most companies are small or medium sized. It is important therefore to focus funding and investments to support and scale innovations, eg, advanced bio-based and recycled materials, technologies, green production technologies and advanced multifunctional products.
“To avoid frustration about lack of implementation or follow up, the strategy should also suggest an appropriate governance set up; a (virtual) structure which gathers legitimate representatives of the industry, policy makers and other key stakeholders. Euratex proposes to create a 'textile alliance' that will assess policy impact in textiles and avoid contradicting actions resulting from different policy areas.”
Its plan also includes a consumer campaign to raise awareness and foster behavioural changes towards sustainability. “We can also set targets on sustainable products, e.g. by 2030 at least 50% of suitable products on the market follow sustainable design principles which need to be agreed, and based on industry accepted standard/ best practices,” it said.
European textile companies cannot compete on price, it added, and need to focus instead on design, quality and innovation. There is a need to attract young workers and develop new digital and green skills, but digitalisation offers enormous opportunities.
Read the full agenda on the Euratex website.
