End of Life Textiles – Understanding the role for biotechnology in developing a circular textiles industry

Overview

In 2022, the global textile industry was valued at over $1.5 trillion, but this economic benefit comes with astonishing environmental cost. While we regularly see innovations addressing textile production, like the use of sustainable biomaterials or environmentally friendly dyeing processes, the statistics for end of life of textiles are less impressive. According to earth.org the world produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year with 87% of the materials and fibres used to make textiles are bound for incineration or sent to landfill. Only 20% of discarded textiles are recovered, with around 1% of these being recycled into new garments.

To drive the transition to a circular economy the whole supply chain must be re-imagined, with end of life in mind from the outset. Innovations in textile design and manufacturing, garment production, smart recycling and separation technologies, and resource recovery and utilisation all have a part to play.

About the event

In this webinar, delivered by Innovate UK Business Connect and the Bioeconomy Cluster Builder, we will explore how we can apply biotechnology solutions alongside other ground-breaking technologies to develop a circular textiles industry.

Agenda

(subject to change, all times GMT)

10:00 – Welcome and introduction to Bioeconomy Cluster Builder

10:10 – Designing for circularity – Dr Lynn Wilson, CEO and Founder – Circular DS

10:25 – Automated sorting for circular textiles – Flor Canencia, Senior Programme Manager – UKFT; Cyndi Rhoades, Founder – WornAgain

10:40 – Textile waste biorefinery – Prof Chenyu Du, Department of Physical and Life Sciences – University of Huddersfield

10:55 – Case study: End of life sails – application of biotechnology – Dr Joe Penhaul Smith, CEO – Sustainable Sailing; Dr Joanna Sadler, BBSRC Discovery Fellow in Biotechnology – University of Edinburgh

11:10 – Panel discussion

11:55 – Wrap Up

Who should attend?

• Textile industry challenge holders
• Biotechnology solution providers
• Academics
• Funders and investors
• Policy makers

For further information please contact Dana Heldt at Innovate UK Business Connect: dana.heldt@iuk.ktn-uk.org or Kim Cameron at IBioIC: kim.cameron@ibioic.com.

The Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture programme seeks to address the challenge of developing innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.

The Bioeconomy Cluster Builder (BCB) is a collaboration between the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) and Innovate UK Business Connect. The project raises awareness of biotechnology and support its application in the development of new value chains across the bioeconomy. Using the extensive networks of the partner organisations we connect people and resources to support innovation in this rapidly evolving area. To find out more about the project and our planned activities, or to get involved, please visit our Bioeconomy Cluster Builder – How Can I Help?.

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