Texaid Germany files for insolvency reflecting the structural crisis in Europe’s second-hand and sorting industry

The affected entities, both headquartered in Apolda, operate Germany’s largest textile sorting facility and manage a network of around 50 second-hand shops and nationwide collection containers. In 2022, Texaid Germany reported revenues of approximately €50.8 million and a net profit of €3.48 million, with an average workforce of 680 employees. 

The company attributes the insolvency filing to prolonged market pressures including oversupply of low-quality fast-fashion garments, falling resale values, rising sorting costs, and strained export markets—challenges similarly faced by other industry players such as Soex.

Despite the restructuring move, Texaid confirmed that both subsidiaries will continue operations during the proceedings, and that all other affiliates in Germany and Switzerland remain unaffected. As several media report Dr.?Peter?Staufenbiel has been appointed as preliminary insolvency administrator for the procedure.

Industry observers warn that this insolvency signals a systemic breakdown in Europe's post-consumer textile infrastructure, calling for urgent regulatory support such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to sustain circular economy efforts.