AITEX, a research and innovation centre with more than 40 years of experience, hosted the workshop “Closing the textile polyester loop: challenges and opportunities”, a technical event that brought together industry experts to address the key challenges in textile waste management and recycling.

The event was held at AITEX facilities, where professionals, companies and specialised organisations explored in a practical way the current state of polyester recycling—one of the most widely used materials in the textile industry and, at the same time, one of the most challenging in terms of sustainability.

A comprehensive approach to textile recycling

Throughout the session, the full lifecycle of textile polyester was analysed, from waste generation to its recovery as a secondary raw material. The workshop provided a platform to share innovative solutions and emerging technologies focused on:

• Efficient textile waste management
• New automated sorting technologies
• Material pre-treatment processes
• Chemical recycling of polyester
• The validation of recycled materials for textile applications

These technical sessions highlighted the need to move towards circular economy models, enabling the industry to reduce its environmental impact and improve material traceability.

Collaboration between industry and innovation

The workshop featured contributions from key companies and organisations within the textile ecosystem, who shared their experience in real-world solutions and ongoing projects. Experts from companies such as ACTECO, PICVISA, SELENIS and ANTEX, together with AITEX specialists, presented developments aimed at advancing polyester recycling from an industrial perspective.

In addition, the workshop showcased the progress of the European project LIFE POLITEX, an initiative focused on developing new solutions for textile waste recycling and funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme.

Driving a more sustainable textile future

The event concluded with a networking session that encouraged knowledge exchange and the creation of new synergies among participants, reinforcing AITEX’s role as a key player in the transition towards a more sustainable textile industry.

The workshop reaffirmed the importance of innovation, collaboration and the adoption of advanced technologies to close the polyester loop and move towards a more circular, efficient and responsible textile sector.