EIT Culture & Creativity, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Climate KIC kicked off the collaboration with a workshop on March 3rd, discussing the future of European textiles and fashion. Scott Lipinski, Managing Director of Fashion Council Germany was invited by EIR Culture & Creativity to take part in the discussions.

The new EIT Innovation Agenda for Circular Textiles and Fashion will explore synergies in innovation, training and investment to accelerate its goals. The group supports the establishment of large-scale technology demonstrations across Europe to test, validate and facilitate industrial uptake and replication.

The first EIT Innovation Agenda for Circular Textiles and Fashion Workshop took place at the premises of the ITA Group – International Center for Sustainable Textiles at RWTH Aachen University. EU Parliament member Dr. Christian Ehler joined the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) for the kick-off, together with representatives from 20 different European companies, research centers, universities and associations. They shared the challenges and opportunities facing the European textile and fashion industry and advocated for improving innovation funding mechanisms that support the transition to circular models for more sustainable fashion.

The workshop also addressed the challenges related to customer behaviour. According to EC reports, EU citizens throw away 11 kg of clothing per year. The climate emergency requires decisive action to help people break this habit. All three EIT KICs are committed to exploring joint programmes that foster innovation in the fashion and textile industry through cross-pollination of innovators, talents and companies along the value chain.

The group has set a timeline for the implementation of the EIT Innovation Agenda on Circular Textiles and Fashion throughout 2023 in support of the EU Strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textiles, whereby: “By 2030, textile products placed on the EU market are durable and recyclable, made to a large extent from recycled fibres, free from harmful substances and produced with respect for social rights and the environment. Consumers benefit from high-quality, affordable textiles for longer, fast fashion is out of fashion and economically viable reuse and repair services are widespread. In a competitive, resilient and innovative textile sector, producers take responsibility for their products along the value chain, even when they become waste.”

Source: hier