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New Textile Ecosystems (New Texeco)

Sustainability
Fashion
Society
Fashion Professorship
Professorship Tactical Design
  • Partner(s): Saxion, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Modint, NL Next Fashon and Textiles, GIST, Stichting TexPlus, Producentenorganisatie Textiel, State of Fashion, Dutch Design Week, Ontwerp Platform Arnhem, Crafts Council Nederland, Modepartners 025
  • Financier(s): Regieorgaan SIA SPRONG-subsidie (part of the Dutch Organisation for Scientific Research, NWO)
  • Started in: January 2023

The textile sector is one of the biggest polluters worldwide due to its huge water and energy consumption, large-scale CO2 emissions and, above all, a lot of textile waste. In the research group 'New Textile Ecosystems (abbreviated: NEWTEXECO), ArtEZ, Saxion and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences join forces to accelerate the transition - and conduct research - towards a sustainable textile value chain, with design as the main pivot. ArtEZ professors Jeroen van den Eijnde (Professorship Tactical Design) and Daniëlle Bruggeman (professorship Fashion) are initiators of this project

Unraveling Complexity by Michelle Baggerman (research) and Enschede Textielstad (Woven Samples)
Unraveling Complexity by Michelle Baggerman (research) and Enschede Textielstad (Woven Samples)

Towards a circular value chain of textiles

As a result of European directives, the textile sector must be fully circular by 2050. To break the spiral of overproduction and consumption of poorly recyclable textile products, NEWTEXECO focuses on a systemic approach to textiles that meets functional and aesthetic requirements for clothing and interiors. Design is central as a pivot in sustainable, circular and regenerative value chains of raw material extraction, production and consumption to (re)use.

Mission and approach

Curious how NEWTEXECO is planning to move towards a cicrular value chain of textiles? A lot of the how and why is in the name: NEWTEXECO is an abbreviation of New Textile Ecosystems.

  • New Textile: NEWTEXECO focuses on textiles as a flexible material of fibers and yarns. With this SPRONG subsidy, researchers can search for new (bio)materials that can replace traditional textiles.

  • Ecosystems: NEWTEXECO will strengthen existing partnerships and seek out new partnerships. There will be cooperation with other colleges, companies, designers, but also with consumers and manufacturers. New ecosystems of knowledge development and innovation will arise and be strengthened.

  • In addition to new knowledge development and textile research, NEWTEXECO will also look at daily practice. Think of the activities, obstacles, and experiences of designers, consumers, and users of textiles. How do we ensure that we design circular "work"? How much "work" does it take for consumers to be informed and lured into sustainable buying behavior, and how does the user "work" to extend the life cycles of textiles?

Stay up to date?

Keep an eye on this project page. Here we will post updates, calls and stories. The research community will also set up its own separate website. As soon as that website is realized, we will share the link here.

Contact

Would you like more information about this research project? Would you also like to contribute, collaborate or get in touch with the researchers? Feel free to send an email to NEWTEXECO at newtexeco@artez.nl