The RE-APS project, coordinated by the EURAMATERIALS competitiveness cluster, aims to facilitate the industrial-scale recycling of polyester textile waste using a thermomechanical process that involves pre-treating, grinding and melting this waste for reuse in the textile and/or plastics industry.
In light of the opportunities arising from the Interreg RETEX project on the 100% polyester value chain, the Interreg RE-APS project is continuing its work to develop efficient industrial recycling for this end-of-life textile material, with outlets for both textiles and plastics.
RE-APS is based on a solid consortium of highly qualified and complementary partners, each contributing unique expertise that is essential to the project’s success. Together, the partners form a legitimate and relevant cross-border ecosystem capable of meeting the technical, economic and environmental challenges associated with recycling polyester textiles.
Our objectives
01
Developing circular value chains from post-consumer and post-production polyester textiles, using thermomechanical recycling to transform this waste into granules that can be reused in the textile and plastics industries.
02
Create prototypes and models that can be transferred to industry, validating processes on a pilot scale and conducting proof-of-concept studies.
03
Responding to environmental challenges by anticipating legislation on polyester waste, reducing dependence on plastic bottle recycling, and exploiting underutilised polyester resources.
04
Strengthen research and innovation by developing advanced technologies for thermomechanical recycling, including the preparation, purification, and transformation of polyester streams.
05
Create a cross-border innovation network involving stakeholders in the value chain (collectors, textile and plastics industries, polyester users) to pool resources and share best practices.
06
Contribute to European strategies such as the Green Deal and the strategy for sustainable textiles, promoting the circular economy and reducing environmental impact.
07
Facilitate the industrial transfer of developed solutions by supporting companies in their implementation and promoting the necessary investments.
Project leader
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EuraMaterials
As project leader, EuraMaterials is a competitiveness cluster specialising in materials processing industries. It is responsible for overall project management and the development of an innovation network. Its tasks include coordinating activities, planning the consortium’s tasks, organising steering committees, monitoring indicators and the budget, as well as recruiting companies to supply polyester waste and defining application specifications. EuraMaterials also plays a central role in internal communication and exchanges with the Interreg technical team.
Project partners
CENTEXBEL
Centexbel, the Belgian Scientific and Technical Centre for the Textile and Plastics Industry, is responsible for preparing polyester for recycling.
Its tasks include waste characterisation, contaminant screening, waste stream pre-treatment (sorting, discolouration, cleaning) and research into new purification techniques. Centexbel also collaborates on thermomechanical recycling and single-component spinning, using its state-of-the-art facilities for laboratory and pilot-scale testing.
CETI
The European Centre for Innovative Textiles is responsible for thermomechanical recycling.
It conducts pilot-scale thermomechanical recycling tests, bicomponent spinning, and non-woven, knitting and weaving applications. CETI uses its technological platforms to study the behaviour of recycled granules and develop textile prototypes. It works closely with Centexbel to optimise processes and validate results.
FEDUSTRIA
Fedustria, the Belgian federation for the textile, wood and furniture industry, is responsible for communication.
It coordinates communication activities, develops the communication plan, manages tools (website, social media, newsletters) and organises events to promote the project to businesses and the general public. Fedustria also plays a key role in disseminating results and raising awareness among stakeholders in the sector.
Project partners
ReFashion
Refashion is France’s leading eco-organisation for the textile industry (clothing, linen and footwear), approved by the public authorities.
Its mission is to promote the circular economy in the textile sector by raising awareness, mobilising and supporting stakeholders in the value chain. As part of RE-APS, Refashion contributes its expertise in used textile flow management and recycling, as well as its network of collection and sorting stakeholders in France and Belgium. Already involved in the previous INTERREG RETEX project, Refashion contributes to the dissemination of results and the identification of new opportunities to accelerate the industrialisation of textile recycling.
Team2
Team2 is the competitiveness cluster for environmental technologies applied to materials, based in the Hauts-de-France region. It plays a key role in coordinating recycling sectors and promoting innovative processes.
For RE-APS, TEAM2 participates in partner meetings, shares its expertise in the circular economy, and helps identify concrete use cases for the solutions developed. It also supports the dissemination of results to its industrial, academic, and institutional network, while helping to connect players in the value chain.
UITH Nord
The UITH is the trade union for the textile and clothing industries in the Hauts-de-France region, with approximately 140 members.
Its role in RE-APS is to liaise with local businesses, particularly those with polyester deposits or developing collection and recycling solutions. The UITH also contributes its expertise on French and European regulatory developments in the circular textile economy. As an associate partner, it helps disseminate the project’s results and organise workshops and events to mobilise industrial and institutional players.
