The AUTOLOOP project aims to create a comprehensive system that could process 1.24 million tonnes of textile waste annually by 2050, whilst potentially creating over 130,000 green jobs across the EU. This project aims to develop, test and integrate automated sorting, tracing, and closed-loop recycling technologies for polyester-based textiles (NRT), addressing the pressing challenge of textile waste management.
Europe’s textile and clothing industry employs 1.3 million people and generates around 170 billion EUR annually. However, it produces 10.9 million tonnes of post-consumer textile waste each year, with less than 1% currently recycled through closed-loop processes back into new textiles.
AUTOLOOP comprises several key technological innovations for the complete recycling of polyester-based (PET-based) textiles, which are being further developed and validated by the project partners:
- AI-Powered Sorting: ZORITEX’s artificial intelligence system identifies over 15 different fibre types and their blends using hyperspectral near-infrared technology. This automated approach could increase sorting throughput tenfold whilst reducing costs by 50-75%.
- Chemical-Free Recycling: AALTO’s Ioncell® process uses innovative ionic liquid solvents to extract cellulose fibres from textile blends, achieving over 95% recycling rates without harmful chemicals.
- Advanced Synthetic Recovery: The ReSyn technology developed by Fraunhofer UMSICHT and SKZ breaks down synthetic fibres into high-purity building blocks for creating new materials, working efficiently even with contaminated textiles.
- Smart Fibre Tracking: TLX’s IntegriTEX® technology embeds invisible identifiers in fibres, enabling contactless detection and complete supply chain transparency.
- Digital Integration: TEXROAD’s cloud-based Data Hub standardises information management across the entire recycling process, ensuring compliance with emerging regulations like the Digital Product Passport.
If successfully scaled, AUTOLOOP’s integrated approach could:
- Recycle 1.24 million tonnes of textile waste annually
- Achieve 96% material recovery rates
- Create over 130,000 new green jobs across the EU
- Reduce municipal waste management costs (currently 60-110 EUR per tonne)
- Significantly decrease the textile industry’s reliance on virgin materials
The project brings together 14 partners from seven countries, combining research institutions with industrial partners. Key organisations include ZORITEX (UK), AALTO University (Finland), Fraunhofer Umsicht (Germany), TLX (Germany), and TEXROAD (Netherlands), along with additional partners across Europe. Additional partners include, ELT (UK), TRASBORG (Denmark), VTT (Finland), SKZ (Germany), S4L (UK), LEEDS (UK), NORION (Denmark), TEMASOL (Switzerland), and LGI (France).
