The days of the linear “take-make-dispose” model are over. New legal requirements, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR), are turning the call for circularity into a legal obligation. While recycling PET bottles was long seen as a sustainable solution compared to virgin polyester, true textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling is still in its early stages – technically complex, infrastructure-heavy, but essential for the industry’s long-term viability.

Recyclers take center stage in the transition. Recycling companies play a crucial role in this transformation. They are developing technologies to return fibers and materials into the loop. However, scalability, quality assurance, and traceability remain key challenges.

More than just recycling

T2T recycling is not a silver bullet. It is part of a broader systemic change that also requires reducing overproduction, encouraging reuse and repair, and designing products with recyclability in mind. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, only 1% of used textiles are recycled into new clothing, while another 12% are downcycled into lower-value products – the rest is lost. T2T recycling offers a way forward by maintaining material quality and enabling a true circular system – a critical step toward reducing waste and conserving resources.

Policy momentum from the EU

The European Union is providing strong political support. From 2025, separate collection of textiles will be mandatory. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles promotes responsible resource use and reduced production of virgin materials. Investments are being made in sorting technologies, digital product passports, and innovative recycling methods.

The new Focus Topic of Performance Days – “Textile to Textile – The Role of Recyclers” – offers a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future prospects of textile-to-textile recycling – a key technology for the circular economy. It sheds light on why T2T recycling is essential for the transformation of the textile industry, which legal frameworks are driving change, which technologies and material flows are currently relevant, and what challenges and opportunities exist along the entire value chain.

Collaboration across the industry

At the heart of the trade show, the Focus Topic is presented as part of the Trend Forum at Performance Days, where the most relevant material trends for Fall/Winter 2027/28 will be on display. The subject will be visually showcased on the S-Wall, placing it in context with current product innovations and key fabrics.

With this new Focus Topic, Performance Days aims to foster collaboration between brands, manufacturers, and recyclers throughout the circular value chain. It’s about promoting transparency through digital product passports and fiber labeling, spotlighting innovation, and creating a policy-backed framework that integrates material intelligence from the design stage onward.

Drawing on insights from recyclers, material developers, brands, and policymakers, the Focus Topic delivers a well-rounded view of progress, challenges, and the urgent need for action toward a future-proof circular textile economy.