By Astrid Helene Mortensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: STREP

As concerns about textile waste and sustainability grow, a new EU-funded initiative, STREP (Streamlined Textile Waste Streams for Recycling Optimization) is stepping up to transform the European clothing and household fabrics sector.

Textile consumption in Europe places one of the greatest pressures on the environment, largely due to resource-intensive production and low recycling rates. STREP tackles this problem at the root by developing cutting-edge tools and systems to make textile recycling more efficient, circular, and scalable.

Led by Aalborg University, the STREP project brings together 13 partners across 8 countries, including universities, tech companies, recyclers, and design specialists. With a €5 million budget, the consortium will develop smarter sorting systems, recyclable-by-design guidelines, and advanced recycling methods - all tested through real-world pilot projects.

“STREP gives us the chance to explore the full circular textile value chain - beyond just collection - and develop real, scalable solutions for a sustainable future,” says Iskra Dukovska-Popovska, Associate Professor at Aalborg University

What STREP Will Do

• Smart Sorting & Disassembly
  Using AI, sensors, and robotic tools, STREP will automate the removal of non-textile parts like zippers and buttons - making it easier to separate and reuse fibres.
• Eco-Design Guidelines
  A design matrix will help clothing brands create products that are easier to disassemble and recycle from the start.
• Mechanical & Chemical Recycling
  New systems will sort fibres by length and composition in real time, sending them to the most efficient recycling pathway - with a goal of producing yarn made 100% from post-consumer textiles.
• Digital Tracking & Transparency
  STREP will pilot digital product passports and blockchain-based systems to trace materials and streamline circular supply chains.

Real-World Testing

All technologies will be tested in five pilot sites across Europe, ensuring solutions are practical and adaptable. An iterative “Assess-Review” development cycle - involving recyclers, manufacturers, and designers - will help optimize the processes to actual value chain actors’ needs.

Expected Impact

STREP aims to increase textile recycling by 25% within three years, reduce energy use by 30%, and improve material circularity across the EU. At least 10 major textile manufacturers and 20% of EU recyclers are expected to adopt its solutions. The project also targets policy influence, contributing to EU sustainability regulations like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

Who Benefits?

STREP is designed for everyone in the textile value chain - from manufacturers and recyclers to researchers, policymakers, and consumers. By turning waste into value, it supports greener products, stronger industries, and a more circular economy.