The second edition of Textiles Recycling Expo, held on 24-25 June 2026 at Brussels Expo, reinforced its role as a dedicated platform for textile recycling and circularity in Europe. Building on its successful debut, the event welcomed 5,607 visitors over two days and, for the first time, was co-located with Future Fabrics Expo. Together, both formats brought the textile recycling value chain and the sustainable materials community under one roof.

On the show floor, more than 169 exhibitors presented technologies and solutions covering textile collection, sorting, fibre regeneration, recycling machinery, AI-driven automation, digital traceability, circular materials and manufacturing innovation. For visitors, this offered a concentrated view of current approaches to closing textile loops, from post-consumer waste streams through to next-generation fibres and products.

The conference programme featured 71 expert speakers from some of the most influential brands and organisations in the global industry. Among them were Hm, On, Volkswagen, DHL, Shein, Textile Exchange, Primark, Fashion for Good, the European Commission, the European Environment Agency (EEA), UNEP, EURATEX and PCIAW, underlining the range of stakeholders now engaging with textile-to-textile recycling.

A new feature in 2026 was the Reju VIP Lounge, offering a dedicated meeting space for industry leaders, exhibitors, partners and invited guests. At its entrance, a striking textile elephant installation reminded visitors that textile waste remains the industry's "elephant in the room" - a topic that was actively taken up in discussions at the event. The expanded Industry Alliance Hub brought together seven organisations, including EURATEX, UKFT, PCIAW, ReHubs, Accelerating Circularity, Fedustria and Denim Deal, highlighting the growing role of cross-industry collaboration in building a circular textile economy.

Another highlight was the inaugural Textiles Recycling Awards, recognising organisations and individuals advancing textile circularity, innovation and sustainability. Winners across six categories included Beyond Retro, Elis, Green Worms Waste Management Private Limited, Circ, Renasens and Epoch Biodesign.

Looking ahead, Textiles Recycling Expo will return to Brussels Expo on 16-17 June 2027 and, in response to continued growth, will move into Hall 5 to provide additional space for exhibitors, visitors and new features. In parallel, Textiles Recycling Expo USA is scheduled for 7-8 April 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina, extending the concept into the North American market in line with the sector's global momentum.