#Recycling / Circular Economy

2025-07-10

REHUBS to build industry-wide circularity roadmap and action plan in response to increasing textile waste challenges in Europe

ReHubs is leading systemic change across the textile and apparel industry, bringing together key stakeholders to achieve ambitious circularity goals through aligned efforts in infrastructure, policy, and finance. Since its inception, ReHubs has been the catalyst and engine for transforming Europe’s textile and apparel recycling landscape.

The industry is undergoing significant macro-economic shifts, including legislative changes such as the impact of the new Omnibus package and the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act expected in 2026, the rise of innovative technologies, and evolving consumer and

market dynamics. These changes are reshaping how textiles and apparel are produced, managed, recycled, and sold to consumers across Europe.

A landmark development is the introduction of mandatory separate collection systems for used textiles across the European Union, effective January 1, 2025. This policy is expected to substantially increase the volume of used textiles collected, creating new opportunities and challenges across the value chain.

In response, ReHubs, leveraging its unique network of over 30 Partners and Associates including collectors and sorters, recyclers, technology and machinery providers, textile and apparel manufacturers, brands and retailers and investors from across the value

chain, will unveil an industry-wide transformation plan by September 2025. This comprehensive roadmap will present specific action plans tailored to key stakeholders, prioritize initiatives critical to success, define clear key performance indicators (KPIs), and provide a step-by-step pathway towards scaling up textile-to-textile recycling.

"The textile and apparel industry stands at a critical crossroads," said Robert van de Kerkhof, CEO of ReHubs.

"With changes in legislation and rapid technological advances, we have a unique chance to implement systemic transformation that benefits the environment, the economy, and society. ReHubs is proud to lead this charge by uniting diverse stakeholders around a clear, actionable roadmap. Together, we can build a resilient, circular textile ecosystem that meets today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities."

This industry-wide plan will be developed in consultation with ReHubs’ community of Partners and Associates, as well as key circularity experts. Work is already underway by Gherzi Textil Organisation and ReHubs board advisor Evan Wiener.

+ ReHubs is leading systemic change across the textile and apparel industry, bringing together key stakeholders to achieve ambitious circularity goals through aligned efforts in infrastructure, policy, and finance.

+ Macro-economic shifts, including legislative changes, emerging innovative technologies, and evolving consumer and industry dynamics, are reshaping the European apparel and textile landscape.

+ The introduction of mandatory separate collection systems for used textiles across the EU from January 1, 2025, is projected to drive significant growth in textile waste volumes collected across the ecosystem.

+ In response to these transformative changes, ReHubs, working with its diverse partnership-based community, will unveil an industry-wide plan for ecosystem transformation by September 2025.

+ This roadmap will include specific action plans for key stakeholders, priority initiatives, clear KPIs, and a step-by-step pathway to scaling up textile-to-textile recycling.

A circular European value chain turns post-consumer textile waste into new garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman

A closed-loop recycling project has successfully transformed 24 tons of post-consumer textiles into nearly 50,000 garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman, with each product containing a high-rate of 70% recycled content. This achievement represents a major milestone in accelerating textile-to-textile recycling in Europe.

REHUBS to unveil strategy and tactical action plan to industrialise textile circularity by 2032

Europe’s circular economy in textiles and apparel is facing a daunting challenge. Increasing volumes of discarded textiles, fragile collection systems, and the flood of ultra-fast fashion are intensifying a crisis of overproduction, waste, and lost value. Despite advances in recycling technology, very few textiles today are recycled back into new textiles, with most waste still downcycled, incinerated, or exported.

ADVANSA launches ADVA®tex: A new step toward textile-to-textile recycling

ADVANSA has introduced ADVA®tex, a new filling fibre made entirely from recycled pre-consumer textile waste, positioning the material as a significant step forward in textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling. The fibre is designed for use in duvets, pillows, mattresses, and furniture applications and is available in three versions.

European research project addresses textile waste through integrated recycling technologies

A major European research initiative coordinated by Fraunhofer UMSICHT has been launched to develop integrated solutions for textile waste recycling. The AUTOLOOP project aims to create a comprehensive system that could process 1.24 million tonnes of textile waste annually by 2050, whilst potentially creating over 130,000 green jobs across the EU. This project aims to develop, test and integrate automated sorting, tracing, and closed-loop recycling technologies for polyester-based textiles (NRT), addressing the pressing challenge of textile waste management.

Navis TubeTex announces U.S. partnership with Icomatex

Navis TubeTex, a global leader in advanced dyeing and finishing machinery solutions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Icomatex (www.icomatex.com), a respected European manufacturer of high-quality stenters and textile finishing equipment. Under this agreement, Navis TubeTex will exclusively represent the Icomatex stenter line in the United States.

KARL MAYER celebrates 35 years of EL pattern drive

KARL MAYER is celebrating an anniversary this year: on 30 November 1990, the first warp knitting machine with electronic guide bar control, the KS 4 EL, was delivered – another milestone for patterning. As early as 1980, the SU gearbox with the MRS42SU had initiated the transition from mechanical chains to digital data.

The region of renewable raw materials: Central German Alliance for Bioplastics

The development of sustainable plastic solutions is rapidly gaining importance in light of global environ- mental pollution, dwindling fossil resources and ambitious climate protection targets. As part of the re- gional alliance RUBIO, which brings together 18 partners from central Germany and the Berlin-Branden- burg area, the bio-based and biodegradable plastic polybutylene succinate (PBS) was comprehensively investigated, starting with the raw material, through the manufacturing process, to industrial application.

YKK receives ISPO Textrends Awards for circular innovations

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) is pleased to announce that the ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK's 3D Composite Puller as the Best Product in the Accessories category. They also selected YKK’s NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts as a Top 5 item in the same category. The competition, held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show, recognizes the most innovative performance textiles, components, and apparel.