#Recycling / Circular Economy

2025-08-07

The Foundation signs a joint letter on the EU Circular Economy Act

Today, the European Commission has launched a crucial Public Consultation for its upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA). The Foundation has joined a coalition of seven leading European civil society organisations to issue a joint statement calling for an ambitious and transformative piece of legislation.

The highly anticipated Circular Economy Act, expected to be proposed in Q4 2026, is a cornerstone of the EU's broader Clean Industrial Deal package, which aims to position the EU as the world leader in the circular economy by 2030. This new act will build upon the foundation laid by the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, which has already spurred significant legislative initiatives in areas like product design and waste management.

The joint statement is a collaborative effort by seven prominent European civil society organisations: Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Environment Coalition on Standards (ECOS), European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Reuse and Recycling European Union Social Enterprises (RREUSE), Zero Waste Europe. The statement aims to ensure that the Act fully embeds circular economy principles in Europe’s entire economic system.

The statement reinforces the role of the circular economy as key for the EU to reach its three main priorities: competitiveness, strategic resilience, and decarbonisation. It urges the European Commission to ensure that the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act delivers an ambitious, systemic shift in how Europe manages its material use, specifically with three asks:

+ Set science-based targets on resource use.

+ Harness the potential of keeping products and components in use, not just materials.

+ Accelerate safe material circulation by integrating chemical and circular economy legislation.

The publication of this joint letter marks a significant moment in the journey towards a more circular and sustainable Europe. It underscores the urgent need for robust legislation that can accelerate the transition and secure the EU's leadership in the global circular economy.

The letter:

https://content.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/m/4859b348f9745f3d/original/Circular-Economy-Act-Letter-Aug-1-2025.pdf?_gl=1*ximztn*_ga*NzkzNDE0MTQwLjE3NTQ1OTcxMjI.*_ga_V32N675KJX*czE3NTQ1OTcxMTkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTQ1OTc1OTQkajUyJGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*MTIxMjY1MTg1LjE3NTQ1OTc1ODc.

Building Prosperity: Unlocking the potential of a nature-positive, circular economy for Europe Business and nature to reap rewards from circular urban spaces

The report, ‘Building Prosperity: Unlocking the potential of a nature-positive, circular economy for Europe’, calls for the adoption of six circular strategies to transform Europe’s built environment. This will boost economic activity, increase climate resilience, and make cities more vibrant places to live and work.

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.