Two key players in the spotlight

1. EUROPEAN SPINNING GROUP

Sustainability is a major challenge for the textile sector. At European Spinning Group, a family-owned textile group with more than 40 years of experience, we continuously integrate sustainability into the daily processes, the purchase of raw materials and the selection of partners.

Investing in modern machinery gives us the ability to produce in an ecological, energy-efficient way with integrated waste management systems. We have our own solar energy production, both in our spinning mills and in our storage and distribution unit. By using mass-dyed and inherently fire-resistant or UV-resistant fibres in our spinning mill, we avoid conventional dyeing and coating with all its ecological disadvantages. By doing this, we also save millions of litres of water.

We regard innovation and cooperation as the critical success factors for making the textile sector more sustainable and striving for a circular economy. This is why my startup Ariadne Innovation also offers a platform to bring the textile and fashion ecosystem together, to support them and take steps forward with everyone in the sector through the digital platform Ellie. Connect which focuses on inspiring, informing and connecting people. 

 

Julie Lietaer,
CEO European Spinning Group & Founder Ariadne Innovation

Julie Lietaer - CEO European Spinning Group & Founder Ariadne Innovation

2. RESORTECS

The textile industry today is still a predominantly linear economy. Discarded and unsold clothing is often burned or dumped in the desert and mostly new raw materials are used to produce new clothing. Because of this linear production, the fashion industry generates more than 1.2 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent per year.

One of the reasons why textiles are hardly recycled is because the disassembly process is often difficult and time-consuming. That is why we at Resortecs developed an innovative sewing thread, Smart Stitch. In specially developed ovens, the sewing thread dissolves at the right temperature and under the right conditions, without damaging the textile. The clothing literally falls apart and the majority of the textile can be reused and recycled with little or no loss of quality.

We developed the sewing thread and the special dismantling ovens customised to various products, from jeans and ski jackets to even mattresses. By doing so, we guarantee that the seams do not dissolve during use, under an iron or in a drying cupboard.

The added value for the textile industry is clear. By developing the textile products for recycling from the outset, the value of the textile is tripled to fivefold at the end of its cycle. After all, recycling companies pay extra for pure materials. Furthermore, nothing changes in the initial production process.

We are already working with brands such as Bershka, H&M and Decathlon. The changed European legislation on sustainable and circular textiles will encourage more and more companies to close the loop. So here at Resortecs, we are looking beyond sewing thread alone and focusing on a complete, efficient disassembly model. This will put us on the map even more as the missing link between the textile industry and recycling companies.

 

Cédric Vanhoeck
CEO Resortecs

Cédric Vanhoeck - CEO Resortecs