Speeding up the Transition to Closed Loop Synthetic Fibre Recycling by 2030

The University of Cambridge, UK, is running a sector wide workshop to help industry experts and policy makers co-create strategic policy solutions on how to speed up the transition away from the use of virgin and non-closed loop sources of synthetics towards a full closed loop textile recycling system across the European Union. 

The workshop theme was developed in response to the revised EU Waste Framework Directive and the EU Strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textiles. 

“The industry has been exploring technological solutions for moving away from virgin synthetic sources, but options including bioplastics, and closed loop textile recycling are not yet commercial, or are yet to scale”, research lead Dr Nazia Habib, explains.  

“To successfully integrate these technological solutions into the supply chain we need the right policies and interventions to manage the sector's transition process so that the costs are fairly treated. This is the missing piece we will explore with industry and regulators.”

Using an innovative systems dynamic methodology, the workshop will leverage the collective experience and knowledge of the participants to co-create policies, identify (new) resources and manage unintended impacts of the transition to closed loop synthetic fibre recycling across Europe. It is this type of collaboration between industry leaders and regulations that is the key to speeding up this transition. 

The workshop - Speeding up the Transition to Closed Loop Synthetic Fibre Recycling  by 2030 - will be held via Zoom 11:00 to 15:00 (London time) 28 February, 2023. A 1-hour report back session will be held via Zoom on 9 March at 11:00 (London time).

The workshop organisers are currently looking for participants in the following areas, who produce product for EU textile supply chains, particularly in Asian source countries: 

• Fashion investors
• Fibre and yarn manufacturers - using recycled and virgin polyester feedstock
• Fabric, dyeing and finishing manufacturers of polyester materials
• EU brands - sustainability directors, buyers and sourcing strategists. 

If you fit into these categories, and would like to attend, please register your interest here. 

If you would like further information, please contact Dr Hannah Parris hrp44@cam.ac.uk