Our concept,
objectives and impacts
The textile industry is at a crucial turning point in terms of sustainable production and rapid adaptation to consumer demand for smart functions. The production of functional textiles often uses chemicals that cannot be recycled and poses new challenges for the textile industry due to increasing regulations with strict bans on hazardous chemicals. Therefore, smart innovations are needed to help the textile industry eliminate the use of harmful chemicals and reduce its carbon footprint.
Stenter frame system in textile finishing. ©Knopf’s Sohn
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Concept
How is BioFibreLoop going to help the EU’s textile sector transformation towards more sustainability?
Our concept encompasses four essential aspects: the use of bio-based materials, the development of a biomimetic functionalisation technology, the application of the resulting textiles in industrial settings, and the establishment of recycling routes for the bio-based materials.
Revolutionising High-Performance Fabrics
The innovative biomimetic laser-based functionalisation technology developed in the project will not only enable the complete elimination of hazardous chemicals but also foster an almost waste-free circular economy. Bio-based materials from renewable sources (lignin, cellulosic material, polylactic acid (PLA)), which can be recycled, are used as the starting material for this. While ensuring a sustainable and safe production, this functionalisation method provides fabrics and garments with intelligent functional properties desired by customers: Hydrophobicity, oil repellence, self-cleaning and antibacterial activity. Textiles with those functional properties can be used for workwear, activewear and outdoorwear.
T-Shirt made of 100 % recyclable cotton (50% organic, 50% recycled). ©NIL Textile
Objectives
The project objectives are as followed:
Functionalisation
Biomimetic functionalisation of three bio-based materials validated and scaled-up
Digital Tools
Digital tools developed and integrated
Circularity
Recyclability and biodegradation assessments of the bio-based textiles successfully validated
Safety & Sustainability
Safety & sustainability assessment for human exposure and environmental/social/economic impact
Industrial demonstration
Process demonstrated in operational environment at TRL 7
Market entry
Path to market entry by 2027
The functionalisation technology as well as the recycling of the bio-based materials will be developed at three industrial demonstrations (AT, CZ, DE). At the end of the project, a patented circular, sustainable and safe process for the production of recyclable functional textiles will be validated and demonstrated on large scale.
Washing process: continuous wide washing machine. ©Knopf’s Sohn
Impacts
The impacts are are as followed:
The project aims to establish a patented, circular, sustainable process for producing recyclable functional textiles.
Growth of textile sector
By 2035, BioFibreLoop is expected to have a significant impact on textile industry by creating 8,5B EUR revenues and 3200 jobs (full time).
Market implementation
The BioFibreLoop Technology is predicted to be adapted by 20% of the industry providing a significant number of end-users with BioFibreLoop products.
Climate protection
Moreover, BioFibreLoop is expected to contribute to climate protection and transformation of the textile sector towards sustainability: Nearly 90% reduction of raw material, almost 100% reduction of hazardous chemicals and 20% reduction of greenhouse gases are expected.
