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Texcircle transforming old textiles into new clothes

The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is developing methods in conjunction with business partners that allow old textiles to be processed into new fabrics. The Texcircle project aims to promote the sustainability of the resource-intensive textiles industry. Among other things, new sweaters are being made from old pairs of jeans.

Most of the old textiles used in the Texcircle project come from the collections of the textile recycler Texaid.
Most of the old textiles used in the Texcircle project come from the collections of the textile recycler Texaid. Image credit: HSLU

Researchers from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) are teaming up with textiles companies with the aim of increasing the sustainability of the textiles industry, which is at present exceptionally resource-intensive. In the Texcircle project, methods are being developed with which old textiles can be processed into new fabrics. “We have to recycle our old clothes much better than before and therefore close the textile cycle”, comments HSLU researcher Tina Tomovic in a corresponding report available via the HSLU portal.

Texcircle has already achieved some initial successes. For example, the Winterthur-based company Rieter processes old jeans into yarn from which new sweaters can be made, while Workfashion from Zug uses old pillow stuffing and duvets for the insulating lining of work vests. The product quality of the prototypes developed as part of the Texcircle project must always match the quality of comparable textiles available on the market, HSLU explains in its report.

At Ruckstuhl in Langenthal in the canton of Bern, yarn obtained from old woolen coats is used in the production of carpets. “We have been looking for ways to take another step towards sustainability in our operations for quite some time”, explains Adrian Berchtold, Managing Director of Ruckstuhl, in the report.

Industrial partners such as Coop, one of Switzerland’s largest retail and wholesale companies,  Rohner Socks and Texaid are involved in Texcircle alongside the aforementioned Rieter, Ruckstuhl and Workfashion. The Federal Office for Civil Services (ZIVI), Nikin and Tiger Liz Textiles are all network partners, while Innosuisse, the Swiss innovation agency, is supporting the project.

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