The initiation of BioFibreLoop, an innovative action project financed by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, has been announced with enthusiasm. The project, receiving funds to the tune of 7 million euros, aims to revolutionize the textile industry by developing recyclable outdoor, active, and workwear from renewable bio-based materials with biomimetic functionalities, thereby fostering a circular and sustainable textile industry.

At a pivotal moment for the textile industry, where sustainable production and the rapid adaptation to consumer demands for smart functionalities are crucial, BioFibreLoop emerges as a game-changer. Conventional production of functional textiles often relies on chemicals that hinder recycling processes and face scrutiny due to increasing regulations and stringent bans on hazardous substances. In response to these challenges, the industry is called upon to adapt by using less water, avoiding hazardous chemicals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of durable and recyclable bio-based materials, providing smart functionalities, and digitalising processes to close the loop towards a circular economy.

BioFibreLoop is set to revolutionize textile functionalization by eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals altogether, while still catering to consumer needs for smart functionalities. The project will employ laser technology to mimic natural morphologies and create fabrics and garments that boast water and oil repellency, self-cleaning, and antibacterial properties. The ambition is to produce affordable, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly textiles that perform well and are durable, using renewable sources like lignin, cellulose, and polylactic acid for end markets. The goal is to enable effective circularity and recycling with near-zero waste biomimetic functionalization, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by the year 2035.

To develop the technology for functionalization and recycling of bio-based materials, three industrial demonstrations will take place in Austria, Czech Republic, and Germany. At the project’s conclusion, a patented circular, sustainable, and reliable process for producing recyclable functional textiles will be validated and showcased on a large scale. Scheduled to last 42 months and beginning on June 1st, 2024, BioFibreLoop will host its inaugural meeting on June 26th and 27th, 2024, in Denkendorf, Germany, marking a significant step towards a greener future for the textile industry.