I + D / Diversos Grupos de Investigación
Fecha: 2021
MOTIVATION
The textile industry is one of the key economic sectors where a new model of circular production and consumption must be promoted. This is the view of both the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy 2030 and the roadmap established in the European Green Deal.
Europe has set the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 by reducing emissions, optimising processes and eliminating waste, and this goal urgently requires a paradigm shift to make the sector sustainable.
In terms of waste management, the textile sector is directly affected by European Directive ((EU) 2018/851) which obliges Member States to start separate collection of textile waste by 1 January 2025. From this date, specific targets for textile reuse and recycling will be set. This will have an impact on the entire value chain, as companies will need to start designing and preparing their products to contain recycled material and to facilitate recycling.
These measures will come into force in Spain, through the new Waste Law, which is currently being drafted. This new law foresees the establishment of an extended producer responsibility scheme (individual or collective) for the textile sector. While it is true that a deposit, return and refund system will have to be set up, the problem with the new system will be compliance with the established recycling rates. The draft bill envisages a recycling target for municipal waste of 55% by 2025, which textiles will also have to meet if they are collected separately. In addition, the destruction of unsold surplus textiles will be prohibited.
In line with these ecological transition objectives, the HUB-TEXTIL project aims to respond to the needs and challenges that the change poses to textile companies through R&D activities for the reduction of raw material consumption, the elimination of waste generation, decarbonisation and improved water efficiency.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the project is to create a HUB specialising in circular economy and sustainability, that promotes the textile industry’s transition towards circular economic models that will reduce the industry’s environmental impact.
The HUB will be based on four pillars of action:
- ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT: identify the critical strategic factors of the textile sector in the Valencian Community in terms of Circular Economy and Sustainability. Define key support services for the HUB based on the diagnosis.
- KNOWLEDGE CREATION: create a specific information base for the textile sector in terms of Circular Economy and Sustainability.
- COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION: provide companies in the textile sector with a reliable, technical and updated source of information on Circular Economy and Sustainability.
- ROADMAP: define a Roadmap for the green transition of the textile industry in the Autonomous Region of Valencia.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The idea behind the HUB TEXTIL project is to provide every necessary resource to textile companies to make them more sustainable and resilient in terms of ecology and to promote the profound transformation that production systems need, with a view to having a positive impact on the European objective of climate neutrality by 2050.
The expected result will be the creation of a framework of resources that will enable textile companies to take advantage of the opportunities opened up by the green transition. The framework will begin with a diagnosis of the sector’s current situation in terms of circular economy and sustainability. Based on the diagnosis, a green transition guide specific to the textile sector will be produced, focusing on the key aspects previously identified. It is expected to include chapters on materials, certification and labelling, business models and success stories, eco-design, processes, technologies and regulations.
In short, a solid base of information will be created which will be disseminated and distributed among companies, providing all the necessary indicators so that every actor in the value chain participates in the process and the green transformation of the textile industry. The Indicators will include ambitious quantified climate targets in line with current impacts and the demands of the Paris Accord.
This project is funded by the Conselleria d’Economia Sostenible, Sectors Productius, Comerç i Treball de la Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE.
Additional Information
- Grant number: IMAMCI/2021/1
- More information: NON-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES PLAN
- Year: 2021
- Status: Finished
- Entity: IVACE
