The project contributes to the shift towards Circular Economy for made-in-Italy industrial productions using or producing as “wastes” natural fibers, in two ways: by experimenting with new solutions for textiles starting from the use of more sustainable natural fibers and by defining scenarios for the reuse of fibrous wastes from textile and agro-industrial chains aiming at new low environmental impact materials and products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Textile & Clothing (T&C) sector makes an important contribution to the European economy, with an annual turnover of EUR 178 billion (Euratex, 2019b). However, the T&C sector is one of the world\u2019s most polluting industries, thus being identified by EU Green New Deal as a strategic sector to address the public funds and shift towards Circular Economy (CE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, world fibre production accounts for 51% polyester and 24% cotton, and only 7% is related to other natural fibers. An important way for the T & C sector to limit its negative impacts and support a regenerative and circular system is by diversifying our portfolio of materials. Hence, it is necessary to tackle this problem by reducing our dependence on virgin materials produced through intensive agriculture, by reusing waste, through circular strategies, and reinvesting in \u2018forgotten fibers\u2019 (i.e. hemp, wool, flax, wild and spontaneous vegetation..). For this reason, a systemic and localised approach is needed to create a more resilient system, also considering the effectiveness of circularity according to a holistic sustainability viewpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, the aim of this project is to use by-products, natural fibrous material, and fibrous waste from various local production chains (e.g. textiles, agro-industrial waste, breeding) and from companies involved in the disposal end-life products (i.e. textiles), for the production of new materials with a low environmental impact, bio-inspired composite materials, components, semi-finished products, products, and services for the T&C sector, the furniture industry, and the construction sector. In addition, the project applies a systemic approach closely linked to local conditions and opportunities and knowledge to create more resilient circular production processes, chains and systems of materials, products and services favouring the use of recovered or “forgotten” natural fibers, even those currently not enhanced and require a scaling up, also in collaboration with local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fibers could include, among the others,hemp, wool, flax, nettle, papyrus; the agro-industrial waste could include wood, grapes, beer, fruit, coffee, rice, olives, hazelnuts, almonds, tomatoes, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The identification of these and other fibrous materials to focus on will occur in the first exploratory phase of the research in which specific supply chains, contexts, and actors in different local areas will be identified, starting from the local specificities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In summary, this project addresses the agribusiness sector (food and non-food), the textile and clothing sector, the furniture industry, and the construction industry, with the aim of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n