Innovative 5R SOLutionS for Textile Integrated Circular Economy

ongoing

SOLSTICE aims at demonstrating 4 replicable systemic solutions for the territorial deployment of the circular economy (CEC) for the major industrial sector of textiles (62Mt produced/year). All steps of waste prevention and management will be included in a 5R strategy: Refuse/Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, Recycle. The solutions developed can be replicated and cross-linked with the plastics value chain. SOLSTICE will: • Develop tools and strategies to implement the 5R approach: oFor the 4R Refuse/Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose: - Engage the different stakeholders (industrial companies, local authorities, citizens) to revise their supply chains / behaviour, and become more sober, circular and sustainable. - Scope and map current state, carry research on and analysis of relevant circular interventions per territory, - Create a methodology and blueprints of CEC interventions to be tested/piloted - Define circular guidelines and indicators oRecycle: Demonstrate innovative chemical recycling technologies, able to treat efficiently part of the major streams of polymers in textiles and plastics (PET, elastane, polyamide, polyurethane) in mild conditions. The technologies allow to recycle multicomponent and bio-based materials, complex streams, and to recycle textile into textile or coating into coating (closed-loop) or into added-value applications (open loop). They are easily adaptable and allow a local recycling. • Set-up a traceability system based on a Digital Product Passport and designed in relation to existing initiatives. The demonstration will take place in 4 EU representative and complementary territories. Knowledge-transfer and cooperation between the cities and regions involved, and with CCRI and other stakeholders and projects, will ensure an optimised development and deployment of the new circular concepts, as well as the replicability of the concept and a maximal impact. The deployment of SOLSTICE could save 4.3-10.8 Mt GHG emissions/year by 2030.