Recycled Textiles for Construction

Developing circular solutions for post-consumer textiles in construction

Duration of the project

1.9.2025 – 31.8.2027

Source of funding

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Total funding

208 970 €

The ReTexCon project is developing new circular economy solutions for the use of waste textiles in the construction sector. The aim is to create digital tools, ecosystems and sourcing practices that support the use of used textiles in durable building products. The project will bring together actors from the textile, fashion, real estate and construction sectors to promote carbon neutrality and resource efficiency. RDI demonstrations will test new products and materials that can replace synthetic imported fibres and reduce waste.

In Finland, around 87 000 tonnes of waste textiles are produced every year, most of which end up in incineration. Particularly challenging for recycling are fibre-coated and elastane-containing textiles, for which there is no clear recycling solution. Construction also generates large quantities of surplus fibres for which there is no reuse. High-volume, durable and low-carbon uses for these materials are needed.

The ReTexCon project aims to:

1. Develop a digital tool for managing recycled materials.
2. Create new ecosystems between the textile and construction sectors.
3. Develop procurement practice proposals for the use of recycled fibres in public works procurement.
4. Conduct RDI demonstrations to test the use of waste textiles in construction products.
5. Share results and good practices with stakeholders nationwide.

The target groups are primarily companies that receive and recycle waste textiles, manufacturers of building materials, design offices and public purchasers in the KIRA sector. Indirect target groups are textile and fashion manufacturers, importers, second hand companies, social enterprises, side-stream producers, IT operators and policy makers. The coordinator is Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Turku University of Applied Sciences will participate in building the ecosystem network and in workshops to collect information from circular economy actors. The University of Applied Sciences will be responsible for a work package on the use of recycled materials in public KIRA procurement and will develop new procurement practices. In a separate investment project, Turku University of Applied Sciences will also carry out the demonstration (testing and piloting) of recycled textiles using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, using the laboratories of chemistry and civil engineering.