Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals to develop advanced fibre-to-fibre recycling solutions for blended textiles and strengthen circular textile value chains across Europe. The initiative supports innovative technologies for textile waste sorting, recycling, contaminant removal, material recovery, and sustainable textile manufacturing.
Projects are expected to improve recycling of complex textile blends such as polycotton while reducing waste, microplastic pollution, and hazardous substances. The total funding available is €11 million, with individual projects expected to receive between €5 million and €6 million.
Overview of the Funding Opportunity
The initiative supports the transition toward a circular textile economy by improving the recycling and reuse of post-consumer textile waste.
The programme focuses on:
- Fibre-to-fibre recycling
- Textile waste management
- Circular economy solutions
- Sustainable textile manufacturing
- Material recovery technologies
- Safe and sustainable product design
Projects should develop scalable and market-ready recycling systems for complex textile products.
Why This Initiative Matters
The textile sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries globally.
Key environmental challenges include:
- High raw material consumption
- Water usage
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Textile waste generation
- Microplastic pollution
- Hazardous chemical contamination
Large volumes of textile waste currently end up in landfills or incineration because blended fibre products are difficult to recycle.
The initiative aims to create efficient recycling systems that recover valuable materials while reducing environmental harm.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve fibre-to-fibre recycling technologies
- Strengthen textile waste collection and sorting
- Increase recyclability of blended textiles
- Reduce textile-related pollution
- Remove hazardous substances from recycled materials
- Support circular textile manufacturing
- Promote industrial symbiosis and resource efficiency
Projects should contribute to long-term circularity in the textile sector.
Key Focus Areas
Supported projects may focus on:
- Textile waste sorting systems
- Fibre separation technologies
- Recycling of blended fibres
- Textile product disassembly
- Removal of coatings and contaminants
- PFAS and hazardous chemical removal
- Microplastic reduction
- Biotechnology-based recycling methods
- Lifecycle assessment (LCA)
- Lifecycle costing (LCC)
- Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)
Projects should address technical, environmental, and economic aspects of textile recycling.
Textile Materials Covered
The initiative focuses on post-consumer textile products made from fibre blends, including:
- Polycotton
- Synthetic-natural fibre blends
- Semi-synthetic fibre blends
- Multi-material textile products
- Apparel textiles
- Home textiles
Projects should improve recovery and reuse of these difficult-to-recycle materials.
Advanced Recycling Technologies
The programme encourages innovative and scalable recycling solutions such as:
- Mechanical recycling
- Chemical recycling
- Biotechnology-assisted recycling
- Automated sorting systems
- AI-supported material identification
- Multi-layer textile separation technologies
Solutions should improve material quality and recycling efficiency.
Environmental and Health Considerations
Projects should minimise environmental risks during recycling processes.
Priority issues include:
- Reduction of microplastic release
- Removal of PFAS and toxic chemicals
- Safe processing of contaminants
- Human health protection
- Sustainable resource management
The programme promotes environmentally responsible recycling systems.
Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis
The initiative supports:
- Circular textile value chains
- Industrial symbiosis models
- Sustainable manufacturing systems
- Waste-to-resource approaches
Projects should demonstrate how textile waste can remain valuable within circular production systems.
Lifecycle Assessment Requirements
Applicants must include:
- Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)
- Lifecycle Costing (LCC)
Assessments should:
- Validate technical feasibility
- Demonstrate economic viability
- Measure environmental performance
Projects are expected to use recognised methodologies such as:
- Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)
The Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework must also be integrated.
Funding Details
Total Available Funding
- €11,000,000
Expected Funding Per Project
- €5,000,000 to €6,000,000
Projects should demonstrate strong innovation, scalability, and market deployment potential.
Coordination Requirements
Projects are expected to coordinate with:
- Horizon Europe textile initiatives
- EU-funded circular economy projects
- Textiles of the Future partnership
Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are strongly encouraged.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility is open to:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Companies
- SMEs
- Industry associations
- International organisations
- Public-private partnerships
- Legal entities from EU and non-EU countries
Entities must comply with:
- Horizon Europe regulations
- Applicable funding conditions
Expected Outcomes
Projects are expected to contribute to:
- Improved textile recycling systems
- Reduced textile waste
- Higher-quality recycled fibres
- Lower environmental impacts
- Reduced microplastic pollution
- Safer textile manufacturing
- Stronger circular economy value chains
The initiative supports Europe’s broader sustainability and climate goals.
How the Programme Works
The programme funds collaborative innovation projects focused on advanced textile recycling systems.
Application Process
- Identify textile recycling challenges
- Develop innovative recycling solutions
- Build technical and industrial partnerships
- Integrate environmental assessment methods
- Submit Horizon Europe proposal
- Implement pilot and demonstration activities
Projects should demonstrate market relevance and scalability.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Focus on scalable fibre-to-fibre recycling solutions
- Include strong industrial partnerships
- Demonstrate environmental impact reduction
- Address hazardous substance removal
- Include robust lifecycle assessments
- Show alignment with circular economy goals
- Present realistic deployment strategies
Strong proposals usually include:
- Advanced sorting technologies
- Innovative recycling methods
- Economic feasibility analysis
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Sustainability-focused product design
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main goal of this initiative?
The programme supports advanced fibre-to-fibre recycling solutions for blended textiles and circular textile value chains.
What textile materials are targeted?
The initiative focuses on blended textiles such as polycotton and combinations of synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural fibres.
How much funding is available?
The total funding budget is €11 million, with individual projects expected to receive €5–6 million.
What environmental issues are addressed?
Projects should address textile waste, microplastic pollution, hazardous chemicals, and sustainable resource use.
Are lifecycle assessments required?
Yes, projects must include Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Lifecycle Costing (LCC).
Can non-EU organizations apply?
Yes, eligible legal entities from non-associated third countries and international organizations may participate if they meet Horizon Europe conditions.
What technologies are encouraged?
The programme encourages mechanical, chemical, biotechnology-based, AI-supported, and automated recycling technologies.
Conclusion
The European Commission Fibre-to-Fibre Recycling Grant 2026 supports innovative solutions that improve recycling of blended textiles and strengthen circular textile systems across Europe. By advancing recycling technologies, contaminant removal methods, and sustainable manufacturing approaches, the initiative aims to reduce textile waste, pollution, and resource consumption while supporting a more circular and resilient textile industry.
The programme also promotes collaboration, industrial innovation, and environmentally responsible textile production aligned with Europe’s long-term sustainability and climate objectives.
For more information, visit European Commission.
