This final report aims to improve the knowledge about opportunities and challenges of textile waste recycling technologies, developed and applied at global and EU level. The report sheds light on the technical feasibility and maturity for market uptake of textile-to-textile recycling technologies – including mechanical and chemical recycling approaches. In recent years, considerable advances have been made in recycling and sorting technologies. The report also evaluates their economic and environmental effectiveness. In addition, the report identifies promising areas for future research, such as the dispersion and recovery of chemical substances or the development of alternatives for elastane.

Finally, the report outlines the necessary steps to support the industrial uptake of  textile recycling technologies and circular business models, including for example support for (cross-) value chain collaboration.


Final report, Publications Office, 2021, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2873/828412