#Recycling / Circular Economy

2025-07-10

REHUBS to build industry-wide circularity roadmap and action plan in response to increasing textile waste challenges in Europe

ReHubs is leading systemic change across the textile and apparel industry, bringing together key stakeholders to achieve ambitious circularity goals through aligned efforts in infrastructure, policy, and finance. Since its inception, ReHubs has been the catalyst and engine for transforming Europe’s textile and apparel recycling landscape.

The industry is undergoing significant macro-economic shifts, including legislative changes such as the impact of the new Omnibus package and the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act expected in 2026, the rise of innovative technologies, and evolving consumer and

market dynamics. These changes are reshaping how textiles and apparel are produced, managed, recycled, and sold to consumers across Europe.

A landmark development is the introduction of mandatory separate collection systems for used textiles across the European Union, effective January 1, 2025. This policy is expected to substantially increase the volume of used textiles collected, creating new opportunities and challenges across the value chain.

In response, ReHubs, leveraging its unique network of over 30 Partners and Associates including collectors and sorters, recyclers, technology and machinery providers, textile and apparel manufacturers, brands and retailers and investors from across the value

chain, will unveil an industry-wide transformation plan by September 2025. This comprehensive roadmap will present specific action plans tailored to key stakeholders, prioritize initiatives critical to success, define clear key performance indicators (KPIs), and provide a step-by-step pathway towards scaling up textile-to-textile recycling.

"The textile and apparel industry stands at a critical crossroads," said Robert van de Kerkhof, CEO of ReHubs.

"With changes in legislation and rapid technological advances, we have a unique chance to implement systemic transformation that benefits the environment, the economy, and society. ReHubs is proud to lead this charge by uniting diverse stakeholders around a clear, actionable roadmap. Together, we can build a resilient, circular textile ecosystem that meets today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities."

This industry-wide plan will be developed in consultation with ReHubs’ community of Partners and Associates, as well as key circularity experts. Work is already underway by Gherzi Textil Organisation and ReHubs board advisor Evan Wiener.

+ ReHubs is leading systemic change across the textile and apparel industry, bringing together key stakeholders to achieve ambitious circularity goals through aligned efforts in infrastructure, policy, and finance.

+ Macro-economic shifts, including legislative changes, emerging innovative technologies, and evolving consumer and industry dynamics, are reshaping the European apparel and textile landscape.

+ The introduction of mandatory separate collection systems for used textiles across the EU from January 1, 2025, is projected to drive significant growth in textile waste volumes collected across the ecosystem.

+ In response to these transformative changes, ReHubs, working with its diverse partnership-based community, will unveil an industry-wide plan for ecosystem transformation by September 2025.

+ This roadmap will include specific action plans for key stakeholders, priority initiatives, clear KPIs, and a step-by-step pathway to scaling up textile-to-textile recycling.

Europe needs tipping point to scale textile-to-textile recycling, BCG and ReHubs say

A new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and ReHubs, titled “Advancing Textile Circularity – Europe’s textile waste challenge: Scaling Textile-to-Textile requires enabling mechanisms”, highlights the urgent need for systemic action to tackle Europe’s growing textile waste and scale a circular textile economy.

A circular European value chain turns post-consumer textile waste into new garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman

A closed-loop recycling project has successfully transformed 24 tons of post-consumer textiles into nearly 50,000 garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman, with each product containing a high-rate of 70% recycled content. This achievement represents a major milestone in accelerating textile-to-textile recycling in Europe.

REHUBS to unveil strategy and tactical action plan to industrialise textile circularity by 2032

Europe’s circular economy in textiles and apparel is facing a daunting challenge. Increasing volumes of discarded textiles, fragile collection systems, and the flood of ultra-fast fashion are intensifying a crisis of overproduction, waste, and lost value. Despite advances in recycling technology, very few textiles today are recycled back into new textiles, with most waste still downcycled, incinerated, or exported.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

New skills for a circular textile economy

Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is developing three practical training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. The content of the first module, Recycling Technologies, has now been developed and validated together with industry representatives. The module provides participants with knowledge of regulatory requirements, material sorting and the preparation of textile waste for recycling.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.