Circular biobased technical textiles with innovative bio-inspired non-toxic functionalisation

ongoing

EU’s industry is pushed by EC‘s green deal to convert into a net-zero industry, accelerate the transEU’s industry is pushed by EC‘s green deal to convert into a net-zero industry, accelerate the transition to climate neutrality and drive its resilience. As an important part of the EU manufacturing industry, the EU’s textile sector is thus called to action and to reach the next level of disruptive innovations in sustainable textiles. BioFibreLoop is a business-driven consortium of 12 partners from small to large industry and scientific institutes and will meet these challenges by deploying a new generation of renewable, recyclable, bio-inspired materials made of lignin, cellulosic and polylactic acid at TRL 7 by 2027. The innovation addresses the outdoor/active/workwear industry and will result in circular, technical textiles made from biopolymers with innovative bio-inspired non-toxic functionalisation. BioFibreLoop will demonstrate breakthrough technologies and pave the way for market entry: (i) near to zero waste biomimetic functionalization through circularity, (ii) zero use of hazardous chemicals, (iii) satisfied consumer needs through smart functionality for hydrophobicity, oil repellency, self-cleaning, and antibacteriality. In 3 industrial demo sites (IT, DE, AT) biomimetic functionalisation and recycling of the bio-based materials will be proven at large at TRL7. These are based on processes owned by partners and brought in at TRL4 e.g. lignin-based thermoplastic coating, laser-based technology for surface structures in bio-based textiles, thermomechanical recycling of PLA and lignin-based textile materials to serve as valuable secondary raw materials. At the project’s end, a patented circular, sustainable and safe process will be validated and demonstrated at a large scale to generate brand-new renewable, recyclable and functionalised materials. By 2035, 20% of the textile industry will adopt our solution boosting ~ 950 Mio. € additional revenues.