The textile sector is responsible for an extremely diverse range of waste, both in terms of its composition and its format. These materials could be considered as raw materials with high added value in different transformation processes, both in the textile sector and in other production sectors.

The best known models of circular economy applied to textile waste are the manufacture of regenerated yarns and nonwovens for applications such as thermal and acoustic insulation. However, textile waste, duly sorted and processed can be used in various technological processes, such as the formulation of plastic and elastomeric compounds, development of construction materials, manufacture of decorative elements, furniture and new solutions for other sectors such as packaging, favouring the intra and intersectorial circular economy.

In addition to dealing with the different applications of textile waste, the presentation details an approach to the lines of research developed by AITEX in collaboration with industrial partners in recent years in the field of circular economy applied to various textile waste. The combination of innovative recovery techniques and the subsequent use of different textile waste has resulted in added-value solutions. Success stories and technical and economic feasibility studies are highlighted, and the definition of the Up- and Down-cycling concepts is developed in depth.