Circular European Value Chain transforms textile waste into new garments
A new closed-loop recycling project has successfully transformed 24 tons of post-consumer textile waste into nearly 50,000 garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman, featuring 70% recycled content. This initiative, which demonstrates the feasibility and commercial viability of textile-to-textile recycling, was powered by a fully European value chain, with the collection and sorting of textiles in France, mechanical recycling in the Netherlands, and spinning and knitting in Italy.
The project, initiated by the Boer Group and financed by Refashion, began as a pilot to assess the technical and financial feasibility of high-recycled-content garments in Europe. The project achieved a significant milestone, not only showing that post-consumer textiles can be repurposed into high-quality yarns and garments but also highlighting the potential of a circular value chain spanning the collection, sorting, recycling, spinning, and manufacturing stages across Europe.
Environmental benefits of this project were confirmed, with the replacement of conventional yarns resulting in a reduced carbon footprint, lower water usage, and decreased energy consumption. Zeeman, which played a key role in defining the products to meet consumer demands, has already seen positive reception for the garments produced in this initiative, underscoring the public’s growing interest in affordable circular fashion.
Véronique Allaire, Head of Circularity at Refashion commented:
This project proves that Europe can turn its textile waste into new garments at scale. By building a fully circular value chain here in Europe, we have shown that textile-to-textile recycling is not only possible, but commercially viable. It’s a powerful signal that our industry can lead the shift towards a truly circular economy.
Mariëlle van Dillen – Senior Buyer Circular at Zeeman commented:
At Zeeman, we want to show that circular innovations can also be accessible for affordable clothing for everyone. By collaborating with strong European partners, we have proven that post-consumer textile waste can be turned into new, high-quality products that our customers love to buy. The sweaters from this project were a great success in our stores, selling very well and demonstrating that customers value affordable circular fashion. This project brings us one step closer to our ambition to reuse textiles more often and reduce our impact as a retailer.
The collaboration with ReHubs, a partner focused on overcoming the supply-demand gap in recycling, has set a benchmark for future circular initiatives in Europe. This project brings stakeholders together with a shared vision to recycle textile waste instead of letting it go to landfills or incinerators.
The project’s success sends a strong message that by working together across the value chain, Europe can achieve a truly circular textile industry. This initiative not only sets the stage for future projects but also accelerates momentum toward scaling textile recycling across the continent.
