TexChain Initiative
Creating circular business models is a collaborative effort. That is why we formed a collective initiative with different Swedish actors in the textile value chain. During the course of three projects, funded by the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova, these partners worked together to create value for secondary textile streams and shape new value chains and business models, all for a more circular and sustainable textile industry.
BACKGROUND
The transition to a circular economy requires new ways of relating how products are manufactured, used, and taken care of. Alternative applications, re-design, cross-collaboration, updated eco-systems, and end-user commitment are all prerequisites for changing the linear mindset of the textile industry.
CHALLENGE
According to a rough estimate, the Swedish textile industry generates about 6,000-14,000 tonnes of textile waste annually. Finding new uses for these material streams means challenging the current way of thinking and thus creating new business opportunities and resource-efficient product development
SOLUTION
The initiative has had great interest over the years, which is proven by the engagement of no less than 41 stakeholders. This impressive project group has created fantastic conditions for establishing cross-collaboration, material innovation, and knowledge spreading, which are necessary for a transition to a circular economy.
RESULT
Through the activities in the various projects, the initiative has resulted in increased knowledge, further collaboration, innovative material development, and efficient use of resources.
Raising Awareness, taking action
The initiative focused on textile residual streams and by reusing and recycling these streams into new or existing applications added value to material, which today is considered waste.
The initiative had three focus areas:
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1.
Increasing knowledge and collaboration and establishing circular value chains.
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2.
Implementing 8 parallel pilot projects to demonstrate environmental and business benefits that can be realised after the end of the initiative.
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3.
Establishing a platform that enables using textile residual streams with transparency and traceability.
the facts
The project series was funded by Vinnova (the Swedish Innovation Agency) and the participating partners.
Partners: Wargön Innovation and The Loop Factory
Period: 10/2018 – 06/2023
Need owners: Artex, Bogesunds Väveri, Borgstena, Blåkläder, Conekton, Fogia, Form2, Glimåkra of Sweden, Kasthall, Ludvig Svensson, Martinsons, Materia, Novoplast, Nå Formtextil, Region Skåne, Rekotex, Re:NewCell, Rikstvätt Sverige, Samhall, Sculptur, Taiga, Texla, Tranemo Textil, Volvo Cars and Västra Götelandsregionen
Solution owners: Horda Stans, Högskolan i Borås, National Högsäter, RISE, Sporda Nonwoven, Stormie Poodle, Swerea IVF, TEKO Logistik, The Loop Factory and Wargön Innovation.
Industry associations: BIL Sweden, Sveriges Tvätteriförbund, TEKO, Trä- och Möbelföretagen and Västkuststiftelsen
