The New Composites project aims to increase understanding of the circularity potential of new biobased and recycled fibres to encourage fibre diversity across the industry. To move away from the ubiquitous and polluting use of cotton and polyester, alternatives must be understood and integrated to textile design practice.
The project addresses the lack of information on composition, production processes and recyclability criteria for alternative fibres and yarns and will provide recommendations for their use directly based on recycler parameters. It acknowledges that often alternative fibres need to be blended with other materials to compensate for cost of performance challenges.
The recommendations for circular composites with emerging sustainable fibres will be tested in the practice of a range of textile designers from contract to craft approaches, producing a series of textile demonstrators that will show the potential for design with recycled and biobased materials in circular systems.
