What is this project about?

Quite simply: 97% of our clothing is made from virgin materials, and 73% of it ends up as waste. With the Labs on Fibre (LOF) project, we aim to transform this linear model in the textile sector into a circular approach. We collaborate with local partners and are supported by research institutions to lay the foundations for a local, circular textile economy.

Today, it is estimated that only 1% of textiles are recycled into high-quality new fibres. Through these living labs, we aim to significantly increase that percentage. Sustainability, transparency, and local processing are at the heart of our approach. Quantitatively, we aim to collect and prepare 20,000 tonnes of post-consumer textile streams (materials no longer suitable for reuse) for high-quality local recycling.

How do we do this?

Under the banner of Living Lab Textile Undercurrents (Labs on Fibre), we join forces to explore how non-reusable textiles can still generate value.

  • We test (partial) dismantling and pre-sorting as a step toward high-quality recycling.
  • We build a transparent and sustainable processing model.
  • Together with VITO, we develop a logistics strategy and financial plan for shared infrastructure, such as a sorting centre that can separate textiles by fibre type.

This creates a robust solution that enables large-scale and high-quality recycling of consumer textiles.

Who we work with

  • Collectors: We Make Hope, Oxfam, De Kringloopwinkel Deltagroep, Kringwinkel Antwerpen, Kringwinkel Ateljee, Kringwinkel ViTes, Kringwinkel WEB, Kringwinkel Zuiderkempen
  • Experts: Centexbel, VITO, Ariadne Innovation
  • Network organisation: HERW!N

Get involved and discover the opportunities

Would you like to contribute to a circular textile chain and make use of new material flows? Centexbel supports companies in analysing textile streams and setting up high-quality recycling processes.

Get in touch and discover how your organisation can help build a future where today’s waste becomes tomorrow’s resource.

reduction

From 1% to 34%!

Centexbel analysed the composition and potential of non-reusable textile streams — materials that are often still destroyed today. Our analysis shows that 34% of these textiles have potential for high-quality recycling, provided that market conditions are favourable and preparation and dismantling technologies continue to evolve positively.

Our results
Contact our expert

Funding

VLAIO is the central point of contact for all entrepreneurs in Flanders on behalf of the Flemish government. We promote and support innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to a favorable business climate. We do this in collaboration with a wide range of partners.

VLAIO is strongly committed to circular entrepreneurship. That’s why this project received support and funding from VLAIO, as well as resources from the European Commission’s NextGenerationEU fund.