Description

The European Innovation Council (EIC), within the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Programme, and Euratex invite you to apply to our joint EIC GHG Co-creation initiative, taking place on 28 & 29 June 2022. Euratex is looking for EIC-funded beneficiaries that want to co-create innovative and scalable solutions to address topics of interest and help the environment. 

Euratex (European Apparel and Textile Confederation), represents the interests of the European textile and clothing industry at the level of the EU institutions. Being the voice of European industry, they aim to create a favourable environment within the European Union for the manufacturing of textile and clothing products. They are focused on key priorities: 1) genuine industrial policy, 2) research and innovation support, 3) free and fair trade and 4) sustainable textiles. In addition, Euratex has established the Textiles European Technology Platform (ETP), promoting cooperation between the industry and research community.

Textiles are everywhere: they are not only used as apparel and in furniture but also applied in cars, aeroplanes, medical and protective equipment, buildings, agriculture, etc. Textile and apparel manufacturing are an essential pillar of local economy across the EU regions, representing in the EU approximately 160,000 companies with a turnover of €162 billion and employing 1.5 million workers. In addition, the EU is the world’s second-biggest exporter of textiles and clothing with 29% of world sales in 2019.

The co-creation journey with Euratex kicks off with an event on 28 & 29 June 2022. Find more information about the proposed challenges, co-creation process, and timeline below.  

Tell us why you are the right co-creator and join this collaborative journey. Applications are open here until 6 May 2022.

Why should you join the EIC GHG Co-creation initiative?   

• Explore how your solutions and capabilities can be sustainable  
• Network and collaborate with Euratex, and like-minded innovators   
• Build a roadmap of market entry with Euratex   
• Closely work with partners on solutions that can best fit the market   
• Find potential partners and customers in the industry  
• Get access to experts from the EIC  

Challenges  

Euratex is looking for innovative approaches that can help with the improvement of certain topics to further cement the energy transition and their journey towards sustainability. More specifically, they are looking for solutions for the following matters:  

Challenge 1 – Novel biobased materials polymers for fibres & textiles

In the fibre industry, most of the polymers are based on fossil sources. Therefore, biobased polymers that can be converted into fibres and consequently textiles are under investigation. Euratex and its members are looking for materials/technologies that can:  

• Create bio-/natural-/waste- based materials. The new material needs to have the properties of a polymer, be able to be used for 2 or 3-dimensional objects and present dimensional stability while being washed, which is critical. In the case of fibres/yarns, the material should have a thickness from 10 µm to 1 mm. In the case of textiles, 1- 5 mm thickness should be achieved, and the material should be extremely flexible and soft. The new material must be able to be spun, weaved, dyed and finished.  They can be:
  • New biobased fibres: capable of being an alternative to the current fossil-based synthetics. Potential areas may focus on processes innovation to create processable polymers based on waste or developed by biotechnology
  • Biobased fibre additives: processing aids, standard as well as functional additives extracted from biomass for biobased fibres

Challenge 2 – Biobased chemicals

Many chemicals are used in processing or in providing the necessary functionality to textiles. Unfortunately, these chemicals are not always of a sustainable nature. The industry is looking to replace these chemicals with sustainable alternatives. Euratex and its members are looking for:

• New (green) chemical components that can replace harmful chemicals used in textile processing or as functional additives. Preferably these chemicals should be environmentally friendly and be implementable in existing continuous processes. In the case of a processing aid, the chemical substance should be recycled and reapplied in the process (closed loop) with a minimal loss. In case of a functional additive, this chemical can either be chemically bonded to the fibre or the coating or not bonded. In the latter case, leaching should be minimal so that the lifetime of the textile is not affected.

  

Challenge 3 – Innovative design tool to enhance fabric quality using mixed material

Circular design implementation aims at defining new fabrics which are already fit for recycling and reuse of recycled fabrics since their initial design. They are looking for:

• A 3D design tool which can simulate the quality of fabrics using recycled raw materials mixed with virgin ones and to provide an advanced simulation of the PEF, based on the real expected production process. The aim is to support stylists in proposing the best fashion design with the minimum environmental impact.

Challenge 4 – Circularity of fibre waste

Sub-challenge 4.1 – Material valorisation of shredded fibre and short fibre through development of new materials

One of the main concerns in textile sustainability is to upgrade the process performance using waste fibres from production and recycling clothes. Currently the chemical recycling process for blended textiles (those that come from blended yarns, fabrics, and clothes) is not developed. Euratex and its members are looking for solutions to: 

• Promote the circular economy through recycling of textile waste in new products with added value for different sectors by using short fibres to produce new products to improve the performance of the textile mechanical recycling process. The objective is to develop new composites based on textile waste (in high % content) and a polymer as binder. It will involve several steps and processes like selection, crushing, mixing and compaction. Optimization and validation of the process should be addressed.

Sub-challenge 4.2 – Energetic valorisation of shredded fibre and short fibre in textile industry through gasification

One of the main concerns in textile sustainability is to upgrade the process performance using waste fibres from production and recycling clothes. Euratex and its members are looking for solutions to:

• Use waste (short) fibres (from production and recycling) to produce energy with low emissions through gasification to a) reduce waste materials, b) achieve a higher performance ratio of the textile mechanical recycling process, and c) reuse the obtained energy in the textile production /recycling system.

Challenge 5 – Digital try-on solutions for fashion e-commerce

Euratex and its members would like to reduce the environmental impact of clothing e-commerce. The challenge is to:

• Provide consumers with a simple mobile solution that can suggest the best size of each clothing item to customers based on their physical and anthropometric characteristics, their preferences of fitting, the material, and the style of clothing. Ideally the solution should be able to collect our customers’ measures and provide the correct size and item based on a reliable matching algorithm.

Your co-creation journey  

The EIC GHG Co-creation with Euratex is an entirely virtual service following the journey below.   

Step 1: Applications and info webinar   

To apply to the EIC GHG Co-creation with Euratex, you are invited to fill out the application form available here by 6 May 2022.   

During the application process, an info webinar (21 April 2022, from 10:00 to 11:00 CET) will be organised to provide more information about the co-creation initiative, the application requirements, and challenges. If you wish to attend this info webinar, please register here. In addition, you can check the agenda of the info webinar here.  

*Please note that your registration to the info webinar does not imply that you will be selected for the co-creation initiative with Euratex.     

Step 2: Selection process   

As soon as we close the submission process, your application will be shared with Euratex. Then, we will proceed with the evaluation and selection of the final list of participants. You will be contacted once the selection process is completed. Also, please note that any feedback or recommendation to the companies that were not selected won't be foreseen.  

Step 3: Co-creation training – 20th June I Save the date!   

Successful and confirmed participants will be invited to join a co-creation training in which you will be briefed into more detail about the co-creation process and encouraged to undergo pitching training to prepare your pitches for the kick-off.  

Step 4: Co-creation kick-off event – 28th & 29th June | Save the date!   

After the selection process, a two-day ideation event with Euratex will take place on 28 & 29 June 2022. It will help you better understand the challenges and start co-developing your solutions with the business partner. During this meeting, you will also have the chance to define a clear roadmap with your next steps.  

Step 5: Iteration & development   

You will have four months to implement the roadmap defined with Euratex and can validate it regularly to ensure you are steering in the right direction. The business facilitators and experts will provide you with the necessary support along the way.   

Step 6: GHG Summit | Autumn 2022  

The GHG Summit will be a way of showcasing success stories developed in close collaboration among business partners and EIC beneficiaries.  

Additional Information

About Euratex

Euratex is the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, representing the interests of the European textile and clothing industry at the level of the EU institutions. As the voice of the European industry, Euratex aims to create favourable environment within the European Union for manufacturing of textile and clothing products. Euratex provides the EU institutions with accurate data and useful tools for making the policies that enhance Europe’s economic growth and encourage jobs creation (more info on www.euratex.eu).

Textile and apparel manufacturing is an essential pillar of local economy across the EU regions. Euratex member federations represent in the EU approximately 160,000 companies with a turnover of €162 billion and employing 1.5 million workers. The EU is the world’s second biggest exporter of textiles and clothing with  29% of world sales in 2019. The textile and fashion products made in the EU are exceptional in regards to respect for the environment, consumer safety and labour rights.

About the EIC Business Acceleration Services     

This opportunity is brought to you by the EIC Business Acceleration Services. To explore other opportunities to connect with the largest corporates in Europe, keep an eye on our events page.       

About the EIC GHG Programme     

With the EIC GHG programme, part of the Business Acceleration Services, the EIC offers its beneficiaries a dedicated GHG tool, the GHG Badges & CO2 Neutral Label initiative, and further resources.  

In addition, co-creation activities with corporates, industrial associations, regions in carbon transition and other EIC beneficiaries are taking place on a regular basis.      

Need help?  

For additional information, please refer to our helpdesk (please choose ‘EIC GHG: Co-creation with Euratex’ as the subject).