TEXTILES.ORG
The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) announced they are coordinating a research project called BioFibreLoop. The project is funded as part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program. BioFibreLoop aims to develop recyclable outdoor and work clothing made from renewable bio-based materials. A kick-off event took place in Denkendorf on June 26 and 27.
The project aims to tackle two challenges in the textile industry: production must become more sustainable and environmentally friendly and consumers expect more smart functions from clothing. In addition, producing functional textiles often involves using chemicals that are harmful to the environment and health and make subsequent recycling more difficult.
The BioFibreLoop project uses laser technology to imitate natural structures to produce garments with water and oil-repellent, self-cleaning and antibacterial properties. The result of the research work will be affordable, resource and environmentally friendly, yet high-performance and durable fibers and textiles made from renewable sources such as lignin, cellulose and polylactic acid will be available. All processes are aimed at a circular economy with comprehensive recycling and virtually waste-free functionalization based on nature’s example. In this way, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 20% by 2035.
The technology for the functionalization and recycling of bio-based materials is being developed in three industrial demonstration projects in Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. At the end of the project, a patented circular, sustainable and reliable process for the production of recyclable functional textiles will be established.
The BioFibreLoop project has a duration of 42 months and a total budget of almost €7 million with €1.5 million going to the coordinator DITF.
The consortium consists of 13 partners from nine countries who contribute expertise and resources from science and industry:
- German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), coordinator, Germany
- Next Technology Tecnotessile Società nazionale di ricerca R. L., Italy
- Centre Technologique ALPhANOV, France
- G. Knopf’s Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
- FreyZein Urban Outdoor GmbH, Austria
- BEES – BE Engineers for Society, Italy
- BAT Graphics Vernitech, France
- Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum, Belgium
- Idener Research & Development Agrupacion de Interes Economico, Spain
- Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy, Finland
- Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø, Denmark
- Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH, Germany
- NIL Textile SRO, Czech Republic