LIFE-CIRTECHTEX: Towards a More Circular and Sustainable Technical Textile Industry
The European project LIFE-CIRTECHTEX, led by Marina Textil and co-funded by the EU LIFE Programme, continues to make steady progress towards a more circular and sustainable model in the production of technical fabrics for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Its mission is to transform pre- and post-consumer textile waste into new high-quality recycled fabrics, reducing the environmental impact of the sector and creating a replicable example of circular economy within the industrial field.
Over the past few months, the project has taken part in several key activities that not only reinforce its progress but also consolidate its position as a leading reference in textile innovation, advanced recycling, and industrial sustainability.
Technical Progress and Collaboration
During the latest consortium meeting, the technical challenges and developments related to recycling technical textile material and adapting production processes were thoroughly reviewed. This ensures that the integration of recycled materials maintains the required levels of safety, functionality, and performance for PPE products.
These developments highlight the importance of collaboration between specialised companies, technology centres, and manufacturers, which is essential to advance a practical and fully implementable circular economy in technical textiles. The cooperation among project partners allows for the identification of technical and operational challenges, while also supporting the development of viable solutions that can be scaled up to industrial production.
International Presence and Project Dissemination
In addition to these technical achievements, LIFE-CIRTECHTEX has strengthened its international visibility through its participation in A+A Düsseldorf, the world’s leading trade fair for occupational safety and health. The project drew considerable attention from sector professionals, PPE manufacturers, and companies looking for innovative approaches to reduce waste and enhance sustainability in their production processes.
Participation of Marina Textil and Blaufabric in A+A helped to increase the project’s recognition and allowed its progress to be shared withs key stakeholders across the industry.
Another important event was participation in the “From Eco-design to Textile” workshop, organised by LEITAT. During this session, several initiatives focusing on the transition to more sustainable production were presented, including LIFE-CIRTECHTEX, which is centred on recycling technical textiles. The workshop offered a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, showcase successful case studies, and discuss methodologies in eco-design, emphasising alignment with upcoming European sustainability requirements.
Looking Forward
As the project enters its final stage, LIFE-CIRTECHTEX will continue consolidating its processes, validating the new recycled fabrics, and demonstrating the potential of circularity in technical textiles. Each achievement reinforces the fact that innovation and collaboration are fundamental to building a sector that is more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally responsible.
