#Recycling / Circular Economy

2022-05-19

EuRIC is part of the IFAT Supporting Program

EuRIC, the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation is organising a panel discussion entitled “The European Green Deal – A green revolution? Implications for the waste management and recycling industry” on 31 May 2022 from 11:20 to 12:05 CEST during IFAT. The panel discussion will take place at Hall A5 ‘’Forum Waste / Secondary Raw Materials Grows’’ and consist of high-level speakers from the European Commission, the German Ministry of Environment (BMU), an NGO as well as the recycling industry.

During the panel discussion, EuRIC will have a closer look at the implementation of the European Green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan. This tsunami of regulatory changes brings many challenges but also opportunities for the recycling industry. From waste shipments to the revision of many other pieces of waste legislation as well as the revolution stemming from the sustainable products initiative, this panel will examine the latest developments taking place in Brussels and what it means for the waste management and recycling industry.

Draft agenda

1. Opening Remarks by Emmanuel Katrakis, EuRIC Secretary General

2. Panel Discussion

• Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Unit, From waste to resources, DG Environment, European Commission

• Andreas Jaron, German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Head of Division WR II 1 "General, Principal and International Matters of Circular Economy, Transboundary Movement of Waste"

• Henriette Schneider, Senior Expert Circular Economy, Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V.

• Sebastian Will, Deputy Chairman, bvse

3. Closing Remarks by Murat Bayram, Director EMR

Moderation: Julia Blees, EuRIC Policy Director

If you are attending IFAT, join us on 31 May! You can find the latest information here. We’re looking forward to seeing you in Munich!

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

RE&UP, the circular-tech transforming global textile waste into high-volume Next-Gen materials, has officially become a Certified B Corporation™. The milestone establishes the industrial recycler among a select group of manufacturing infrastructure providers verified as meeting B Lab Standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Recover™ and Ünteks Group partner to scale recycled cotton in knitwear

Recover(TM), a global producer of low‐impact, high‐quality recycled cotton fiber, announces a new partnership with Ünteks Group, a vertically integrated textile manufacturer based in Turkey. The collaboration focuses on the development of circular knit fabrics and garments, combining Recover’s recycled cotton fiber with Ünteks Group’s integrated capabilities across knitting, dyeing, printing, and garment production.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.