Clothing textiles

In the transition to a circular economy, the sector is working together with companies and also through e.g. Flanders Circular (Production Industry Work Agenda). After all, Belgian clothing textiles manufacturers are strongly committed to switching to more circular solutions, beginning with recycled fibres.

'Circular economy' is about more than just recycling, which is obviously an important element of it. But other aspects are certainly important for clothing textiles as well. These include life extension through proper use of materials or through proper maintenance, repair and reuse of clothing. Therefore, partnerships are of great importance with e.g. textiles maintenance companies or tailoring companies that handle the repair of garments or clothing fabrics.

The Centexbel textiles knowledge centre plays a crucial role in disseminating knowledge among textiles companies, and SMEs in particular. In this context, an annual Horizon Exploration of Clothing Textiles is organised, where updates relating to innovations, patents, standards, labelling, and legislation directly or indirectly related to apparel are all made available. Centexbel's research projects are also outlined at each event. The 2022 edition zoomed in on circularity and sustainability – and this was no coincidence. This included the Dutch Technical Agreement, NTA 8195 Circular Textiles, which could later serve as the basis for a European Standard (NEN). Within this NTA 8195, requirements and categories are defined. Another great example was the new tool 'Impact and Water Footprint Calculator' from STeP by Ökotex, an absolute first in 2022.

There is also some collaboration with HoGent's FTILab+ to build up knowledge around innovations. This includes research into the potential of hemp cultivation for (clothing) textiles applications. Hemp fibre has many advantages – ecologically, economically and regionally.