Textile circularity through advanced processing and manufacturing technologies and system approaches (IA) (Textiles for the Future partnership)

What is this call about?

The topic funds innovation actions that help the textile industry scale up recycled, bio-based and other renewable fibres and sustainable chemicals, including support for SMEs through third-party funding.

What does this call fund?

Scope

Renewable textile fibres and sustainable chemicals face large cost disadvantages compared with entrenched fossil-based alternatives. The topic funds better processing technology, technical knowledge and phase-in approaches such as blending or drop-in solutions, with emphasis on product quality, durability and functionality, plus business models that share cost and risk fairly along the textile value chain.

What proposals should address

• Processing technologies for recycled, regenerated and bio-based fibres and sustainable chemicals at all major manufacturing stages, such as spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing.
• Quantification of biodiversity outcomes of new processes using existing monitoring, reporting and validation methods.
• Characterisation, quality assurance and mitigation of common processing challenges.
• Best practices and training material for designers, manufacturers, brands, end-of-life managers and users.
• Tools for collective risk sharing and smart scaling.

The mere integration of existing technologies or processes is outside the scope.

Expected outcomes

• More viable renewable material and sustainable chemical solutions in large-scale apparel, home and technical textiles.
• A realistic pathway to an absolute reduction in virgin fossil-based materials and chemicals in textiles for the EU market by 2035.
• Uptake of business models that scale up sustainable alternatives.

Financial support to third parties

Proposals should use between 10% and 25% of the EU contribution for financial support to third parties, to involve as many SMEs as possible in small innovation projects. This support can go only to SMEs. The topic implements the co-programmed partnership Textiles for the Future. Activities are expected to start at TRL 5 and reach TRL 6 to 7.

What are proposals expected to do?

• Proposals should actively involve suppliers of renewable materials and sustainable chemicals, brands, commercial end users, technology developers and industrial partners able to scale up production.
• Involvement of designers, collectors, sorters, recyclers and remanufacturers is particularly encouraged, as is the involvement of start-ups.

When is the deadline?

2 February 2027 (89 days)

2 February 2027 (single-stage submission).