In a significant step towards sustainable textile practices, Mitwill Textiles Europe, in collaboration with its partners, officially unveiled the ambitious textile recycling and upcycling innovation project, PESCO-UP, today in Helsinki.
The primary focus of the PESCO-UP project is the transformation of mixed polyester/cotton waste into high-quality, clean materials for the next usage cycle, aligning with the European Union’s 2025 textile waste mandatory collection targets.
Led by the esteemed VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, a leading research organization in Europe, the PESCO-UP project aims to tackle industry challenges by creating a digital marketplace for information exchange and establishing recycling standards. The 48-month initiative seeks to enhance the textile recycling value chain and reduce dependency on virgin materials.
A key element of the PESCO-UP project is its holistic approach, incorporating innovative processes such as digitalized material identification, data sharing, and advanced sorting systems. Through the development of feasible chemical and mechanical separation methods, the project sets an ambitious target of achieving up to 90% material processing efficiency.
Beyond technological advancements, the PESCO-UP project aspires to catalyze transformative change into business opportunities. It also emphasizes the enhancement of workforce skills through targeted upskilling strategies and engaging training materials.
Mitwill Textiles Europe, as part of a consortium of 19 partners collaborating on the project, will play a crucial role in developing and producing best-performing demo-pilots for textile identification systems and sorting infrastructures.
PESCO-UP is a Horizon Europe project, generously funded by the European Union. Commencing on January 1, 2024, and spanning 48 months, the project is led by VTT, the largest research and technology company and research center conducting applied research in Finland. The PESCO-UP consortium encompasses partners from across the EU, covering the entire textile recycling life-cycle. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the grant agreement No. 101138367.
The launch of the PESCO-UP project marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards sustainable textile practices, showcasing Mitwill Textiles Europe’s commitment to driving positive change in the industry.
