In response to the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles – published by the European Commission in March 2022 –  apparel brands are intensifying cooperation with their supply chains. This strategic move has resulted in various organisations launching new initiatives aimed at promoting recycling and circularity. Some examples are:

Euratex – the European Apparel and Textile Confederation – has launched ReHubs, which involves the establishment of 150-250 new recycling centres in Europe in the coming years. This initiative aims at achieving fibre-to-fibre recycling of 2.5 million tons a year in Europe’s textile waste by 2030. CISUTAC – Circular and Sustainable Textiles and Clothing  – will develop new, sustainable and integrated large-scale European value chains in order to minimise the overall impact of the textile and clothing industry on the environment.

C&A and Primark have entered into new agreements with Recover—a producer of high-quality recycled fibres which have a low impact on the environment— for the use of recycled cotton fibres and cotton fibre blends in the manufacture of their products. At the same time, Hugo Boss has entered into a partnership agreement with textile chemicals company HeiQ for the supply of AeoniQ yarn, which is recyclable and made using a closed-loop process.