Increasing amounts of waste, resource scarcity, Green Deal and EU textile strategy, demands for more sustainability and product stewardship: the circular economy is currently one of the most important and dynamic topics in the textile industry throughout Europe.
A recently completed study by the Augsburg Institute of Textile Technology and the bifa Environmental institute entitled " Economic potentials of textile recycling and hydrogen production from textile waste in Bavaria " has addressed the issue and highlights the opportunities for Bavaria. The study provides valuable data and findings that can be used as a basis for economically and ecologically sensible planning of investments and innovations. For example, existing and future mass flows for used textiles were recorded and the technical possibilities or the degree of maturity of various technologies in the recycling value chain were evaluated. Among other things, the work comes to the following conclusions:
The thermal recycling of used textiles is useful in parts (e.g. thermo-mechanical recycling), but the effort for the raw material preparation and the energetic balance may be disadvantageous.
Chemical recycling is not yet competitive, both economically and ecologically, and is not yet ready for an industrial scale.
Mechanical recycling of textiles is currently the most energy-efficient method for recycling used textiles. Economic viability is possible especially when high-quality products can be recovered.
Orientation of product design to secondary raw materials requires intensive research and development work as well as the establishment of new process chains, but allows the Bavarian textile industry clear competitive advantages for the future.
The study, sponsored by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Bavarian Business Association (vbw) and the Bavarian Textile and Clothing Industry Association (VTB), sees the textile sector as a modern industry that accepts the challenges facing society and meets them with modern methodology and technology. It calls on Bavarian companies, young talent and innovative start-ups to make Bavaria the number one location for textile recycling in Europe.
Event information
On July 18, 2023, the results will be presented and discussed in detail at the Textil Innovativ event. In addition, there will be the opportunity to visit the Recycling Atelier at the Institute of Textile Technology Augsburg. In a panel discussion, the event will also take up the aspects of "data-based value creation" and the "digital product passport" that are relevant for recycling.
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