SOLSTICE: An EU Project for a Circular Textile Economy
The EU-funded project SOLSTICE (May 2024 – November 2027) aims to make the textile industry more sustainable and promote the transition to a circular economy. It focuses on the 5R strategies: Refuse/Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, and Recycling. These approaches are designed to reduce waste and use resources more efficiently.
Challenges in the Textile Industry
The textile sector is one of the largest contributors to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions globally. In Europe, around 26 kg of textiles are purchased per person annually, with 11 kg discarded—less than 1% is recycled. Existing collection and recycling systems are inefficient, and consumer behavior is unsustainable.
Pilot Projects in Four Regions
SOLSTICE is testing its strategies in Grenoble (France), Prato (Italy), Catalonia (Spain), and Berlin (Germany). As part of a 24-partner consortium, Circular Berlin analyzes textile flows as well as the business environment and consumer behavior in Berlin. Based on the research findings, a repair bonus system — the REPAIR DEAL — is being piloted together with FixFirst and local repair experts for denim jeans repairs over a 14-month period (from September 18, 2025 to November 30, 2026). The bonus can be easily requested via a digital platform. Customers receive a 50% discount on the repair of a pair of denim jeans.
Innovation and Impact
SOLSTICE is developing four new chemical recycling technologies and promoting collaboration between research, industry, government, and citizens. A digital product passport will improve traceability of raw materials. The project’s outcomes will serve as blueprints for other regions and support policy measures such as eco-modulation.