[pageLogInLogOut]

#Recycling / Circular Economy

The Foundation signs a joint letter on the EU Circular Economy Act

Today, the European Commission has launched a crucial Public Consultation for its upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA). The Foundation has joined a coalition of seven leading European civil society organisations to issue a joint statement calling for an ambitious and transformative piece of legislation.


The highly anticipated Circular Economy Act, expected to be proposed in Q4 2026, is a cornerstone of the EU's broader Clean Industrial Deal package, which aims to position the EU as the world leader in the circular economy by 2030. This new act will build upon the foundation laid by the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, which has already spurred significant legislative initiatives in areas like product design and waste management.

The joint statement is a collaborative effort by seven prominent European civil society organisations: Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Environment Coalition on Standards (ECOS), European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Reuse and Recycling European Union Social Enterprises (RREUSE), Zero Waste Europe. The statement aims to ensure that the Act fully embeds circular economy principles in Europe’s entire economic system.

The statement reinforces the role of the circular economy as key for the EU to reach its three main priorities: competitiveness, strategic resilience, and decarbonisation. It urges the European Commission to ensure that the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act delivers an ambitious, systemic shift in how Europe manages its material use, specifically with three asks: 

+ Set science-based targets on resource use.

+ Harness the potential of keeping products and components in use, not just materials.

+ Accelerate safe material circulation by integrating chemical and circular economy legislation.

The publication of this joint letter marks a significant moment in the journey towards a more circular and sustainable Europe. It underscores the urgent need for robust legislation that can accelerate the transition and secure the EU's leadership in the global circular economy.

The letter:

https://content.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/m/4859b348f9745f3d/original/Circular-Economy-Act-Letter-Aug-1-2025.pdf?_gl=1*ximztn*_ga*NzkzNDE0MTQwLjE3NTQ1OTcxMjI.*_ga_V32N675KJX*czE3NTQ1OTcxMTkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTQ1OTc1OTQkajUyJGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*MTIxMjY1MTg1LjE3NTQ1OTc1ODc.


More News from Ellen MacArthur Foundation

#Recycling / Circular Economy

H&M Foundation supports The Fashion ReModel to accelerate the uptake of circular business models for fashion

H&M Foundation has announced its philanthropic support for The Fashion Initiative’s latest demonstration project, The Fashion ReModel. This initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of circular business models within the fashion industry over the next three years.

#Europe

Building Prosperity: Unlocking the potential of a nature-positive, circular economy for Europe Business and nature to reap rewards from circular urban spaces

The report, ‘Building Prosperity: Unlocking the potential of a nature-positive, circular economy for Europe’, calls for the adoption of six circular strategies to transform Europe’s built environment. This will boost economic activity, increase climate resilience, and make cities more vibrant places to live and work.

More News on Recycling / Circular Economy

#Recycling / Circular Economy

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) yesterday officially signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem – a first-of-its-kind collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles.

#Spinning

Object Carpet tests production of rPET BCF yarn on Neumag BCF line

In a joint project with Object Carpet GmbH, Denkendorf; the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA), Augsburg; and Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH (NGR), Feldkirchen, Austria, Barmag investigated the processing of recycled polyester for BCF yarn. The goal was to evaluate the fundamental suitability of 100% recycled carpet material for reuse in carpet yarn production to create a closed-loop system in carpet manufacturing. To date, commercial rPET BCF processes have been based solely on rPET from bottle pellets.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Albany International reports progress with Cyclezyme on industrial textile recycling project

Albany International Corp. (NYSE:AIN) reports continued progress in the ongoing project with Cyclezyme AB, a leader in advanced enzyme-based plastic recycling, based in Sweden. The project exemplifies leading edge innovation in materials science, focusing on the development of enzyme-based recycling of industrial textiles primarily consisting of polyester and polyamide, where there is currently a significant lack of effective solutions for circular material flows. The objective of the project is to establish enzymatic processes for depolymerization and recycling of technical textiles and high-performance industrial materials.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

Latest News

#Research & Development

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

#Natural Fibers

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.

#Natural Fibers

Cashmere specialist joins AbTF Board of Trustees

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is pleased to welcome Brian Yu, the chief executive officer of the Artwell Group, to its board of trustees. As CEO, Brian Yu developed Artwell into the world’s largest supplier of responsibly produced cashmere knitwear.

TOP