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Textiles on the Path to Sustainability and Circularity—Results of Application Tests in the Business-to-Business Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Frieder Rubik

    (Institute for Ecological Economy Research, Potsdamer Strasse 105, D-10785 Berlin, Germany)

  • Kai Nebel

    (Faculty of Textiles, Reutlingen University Texoversum, Alteburgstrasse 150, D-72762 Reutlingen, Germany)

  • Christina Klusch

    (Institute for Ecological Economy Research, Potsdamer Strasse 105, D-10785 Berlin, Germany)

  • Hanna Karg

    (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Wilckensstrasse 3, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Kim Hecht

    (Hohenstein Innovations gGmbH, Schlosssteige 1, D-74357 Bönnigheim, Germany)

  • Martina Gerbig

    (Faculty of Textiles, Reutlingen University Texoversum, Alteburgstrasse 150, D-72762 Reutlingen, Germany)

  • Sven Gärtner

    (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Wilckensstrasse 3, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Barbara Boldrini

    (Teaching and Research Center Process Analysis and Technology (PA&T), Faculty of Life Sciences, Reutlingen University, Alteburgstrasse 150, D-72762 Reutlingen, Germany)

Abstract

The textile sector is responsible for a number of environmental impacts, e.g., climate change, and is not pursuing sustainable production and consumption patterns. Due to the increasing quantities of textiles, their share is rising, and a trend reversal from a linear to a circular and sustainable textile chain is needed. This article presents the background, methodological approach and results of a participatory textile development model. In the commercial B2B sector, three textile prototypes were developed together with users and trialled over several months in three application areas. Textile development took into account the requirements of fibre regeneration in the product design and focused on innovative more sustainable chemical recycling solutions. The three sustainably aligned textiles were subjected to spectroscopic and textile–technological tests. The sustainability tool screening life cycle assessments analysed their environmental profile and compared it with reference textiles that are used as the standard. Overall, it is clear that the three textiles can match conventional reference textiles in terms of quality and have considerable environmental benefits compared to the reference textiles. The user survey did identify concerns about a high artificial fibre content, although a general rejection of recycled fibres was not observed. The results show that a sustainable transformation is possible but must start with the fibre composition; recycling, on the other hand, is of minor importance.

Suggested Citation

  • Frieder Rubik & Kai Nebel & Christina Klusch & Hanna Karg & Kim Hecht & Martina Gerbig & Sven Gärtner & Barbara Boldrini, 2024. "Textiles on the Path to Sustainability and Circularity—Results of Application Tests in the Business-to-Business Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:5954-:d:1433911
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fung, Yi-Ning & Chan, Hau-Ling & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Liu, Rong, 2021. "Sustainable product development processes in fashion: Supply chains structures and classifications," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    2. Guo, Shu & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Shen, Bin, 2020. "Green product development under competition: A study of the fashion apparel industry," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 280(2), pages 523-538.
    3. Marlen Gabriele Arnold & Constanze Pfaff & Thomas Pfaff, 2023. "Circular Business Model Strategies Progressing Sustainability in the German Textile Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-29, March.
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