RegioGreenTex: Europe’s circular textiles accelerator delivers successful results

RegioGreenTex is one of the first projects funded under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument programme - call for proposals Strand 1, that focused on process, service, and business model innovation, developing advanced textile recycling technologies, regional recycling hubs, and a digital ecosystem for matchmaking and capacity building.

After a three-year journey, the EU-funded project, which brought together 43 partners from 11 European regions, has come to an end, having proved that interregional cooperation can truly turn circular ambitions into industrial reality.

Impact at a glance

• 25 SME‑led pilot investments moved from lab to near‑market, with most expected to commercialise in 1–3 years;
• At least 70% of the EU grant went to SMEs, who surpassed every planned deliverable and milestone;
• A pan‑European team of 43 partners from 11 regions in 8 countries, leveraging know-how towards the same direction - industry, research, regions and innovators working as one;
• Five regional hubs that mapped SME needs and developed, accordingly, services and value chains

Tools that stay (and keep helping SMEs)

• The RegioGreenTex Digital Tool (on Ellie.Connect) keeps matchmaking, sharing trainings and hosting our knowledge base.
• The Waste Wizard shows how AI‑enhanced matchmaking can link leftover textiles with the right re‑use or recycling routes.
• The Circular Garment is living proof that interregional collaboration can give birth to innovative articles of clothing, while enhancing sustainability and a circular-life approach.
• A practical “behind the scenes” documentary of the Circular Garment, showcasing its journey from first sketch to real-life product, serving also as benchmark for future similar projects.

• A comprehensive deliverable focusing on the key actions, legacy of the project and potential source of inspiration for SMEs that target innovation and require funding.

   

Proof from the factory floor

From recycled‑content yarn processes (Tintex) to Recycrom™ low‑impact dyeing (Officina39), ultrasonic quilting for full recyclability (Rovitex) and hybrid recycled‑fibre yarns (Hilaturas Mar), the pilots showed concrete, repeatable ways to cut impact without losing performance. 

The final event in November also provided the best opportunity for the project to advance evidence‑based recommendations, from harmonised standards and upgraded sorting/recycling capacity to targeted SME support, skills and data frameworks, to unlock scale across regions. 

And to make the journey tangible, a photo exhibition at the European Parliament put faces and places to the results, building momentum with policymakers. 

RegioGreenTex proved that when regions, clusters and SMEs work together, circularity turns into new value chains, local jobs and competitive advantage for Europe’s textile sector. 

What’s next

The hubs are open for collaboration, the digital tools are live, and the pilot portfolio is primed for investors and adopters, so the work (and the wins) continue.