FOCUS SESSION III / 16 October 2025 / 15:30 - 17:00
How to achieve EU textile recycling targets
Moderator: Andreas Bartl, TU Wien (AT)
Panelists:
Sebastian Rosenbusch, TU Wien (AT)
Valentina Rossi, Technical University of Denmark (DK)
Paulina Caldarelli, Erion (IT)
Federico Fraboni, Oniverse - Calzedonia Group (IT) - to be confirmed
The textile sector is at a turning point.
Textiles have become a high-priority area for EU policymakers, and momentum is growing fast. Since the 2018 revision of the Waste Framework Directive—mandating separate collection of textile waste by 2025—a wave of legislative initiatives has followed: from the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles to the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. Together, these efforts are reshaping the future of textiles in Europe.
But regulation alone won't solve the problem.
Fast fashion still dominates the market, global fiber production continues to rise, and less than 1% of materials are recycled back into new textiles. To truly close the loop, we need a coordinated transformation of the entire textile value chain—from design to disposal.
Join us for this engaging and timely Focus Session, where we will explore the practical, political, and technological pathways to meeting EU targets.
Together, we'll address key questions such as:
How can collection systems be organized and financed across Member States?
What must Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles look like to ensure unfit, non-recyclable products are kept off the market?
How do we promote longer-lasting, repairable, and more sustainable textile products?
What role does sorting play—and what are the limits of automated technologies in identifying materials and contaminants?
What intermediate steps are needed to boost recycling yields, and how can recovered materials be reintroduced into the value chain—as fibers, polymers, or monomers?
This Focus Session is designed for professionals across textile, waste management, policy, and research communities. Whether you're deeply involved or just beginning to explore the topic, this is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from leading experts, and help shape a circular future for textiles in Europe.
Let’s rethink textiles—together.
Andreas Bartl is a senior scientist at TU Wien in the Institute of Chemical, Environmental, and Bioscience Engineering. In 2012, he was awarded the venia docendi (Conferment of the Right to Lecture) and the academic title of Privatdozent.
He earned his degree in technical chemistry from TU Wien. After completing his PhD, he spent several years in the industry, working in research & development and production. Since 2002, he has been working at TU Wien, where he has been engaged in recycling fibers from end-of-life products such as apparel and tires. Currently, he is involved in national and EU-funded research projects aimed at transitioning the textile industry toward a circular economy. His research focuses primarily on the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic fibers and green solvents, particularly in upscaling processes and the removal of elastane from textile blends.
Andreas also teaches courses in various master's programs, specializing in mechanical process engineering, with a focus on comminution, fiber technology, recycling, and resource management.
