CEPS Project

PESCO-UP

Textile fibre recycling from mixed streams of PESCO textiles

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Launched in January 2024, the PESCO-UP project focuses on transforming mixed polyester/cotton waste into high-quality and clean materials for the next use cycle, aligning with the EU’s 2025 textile waste mandatory collection.

Led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, one of the leading research organisations in Europe, the PESCO-UP project will address industry challenges by, among others, creating a digital marketplace for information exchange and establishing recycling standards. The project spans 48 months, aiming to enhance the textile recycling value chain and reduce reliance on virgin materials.

The PESCO-UP project’s holistic approach also includes innovative processes such as digitalised material identification, data sharing, and advanced sorting systems. By developing feasible chemical and mechanical separation methods, the project targets up to 90% material processing efficiency.

The project not only advances in technology but also wants to lead the change in transforming this challenge into business opportunities and enhance workforce skills through targeted upskilling strategies and engaging training materials.

As part of a consortium of 19 partners working on the project, CEPS role consists in assessing policy regulatory conditions and standardisation aspects as well as preparing policy recommendations for improving the sustainability of the textiles industry – one of the biggest contributors to EU waste generation. More information on the PESCO-UP project on its website: www.pesco-up.eu

European Commission

Contract Number:
101138367

Vasileios Rizos

Senior Research Fellow and Head of Sustainable Resources and Circular Economy

+32 (0)2 229 39 74

Monica Alessi

Programme Manager

+32 2 229 39 10

Edoardo Righetti

Researcher

Patricia Urban

Researcher