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Textile design & material selection

Decisions made during the design and product development phase determine whether a textile product can be part of a circular value chain. The challenges are many: complex fiber blends hinder recycling, additives can prevent biodegradation, and design can make disassembly or repair more difficult.

Choosing the right material and designing for long life, reuse, and efficient recycling requires careful trade-offs between performance, environmental impact, and business value. 

RISE offers expert advice on sustainable material selection and circular design to help develop products that meet both circular principles and business requirements. We provide decision-making support and assistance in developing and testing circular pilot models.

The right textile fiber for the right purpose

Fiber selection affects both the product’s lifespan and its environmental footprint. RISE has deep expertise in classifying textile fibers according to industry standards and sustainability criteria. We guide you in choosing materials that minimize climate impact in production—without compromising on function, quality, or usability.

Textile design that enables circularity

Circular design aims to improve the durability, repairability, reusability, and recyclability of textiles. We offer practical guidance on how to design products for easy disassembly and recycling—with the right materials, construction, and functionality in mind from the outset. This increases recycling value and reduces waste throughout the value chain.

Reducing microfiber emissions from synthetic materials

Textiles made from synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon contribute to microfiber emissions in waterways. To mitigate these effects, RISE collaborates with startups, appliance manufacturers, and public authorities. We offer analyses using standardized and proprietary methods, develop filter solutions for washing machines, and conduct comparative studies of programs and machine types.

Some of our services in material selection and design

  • Advisory services in circular design and material selection
  • Classification of textile fibers according to industry standards and sustainability criteria
  • Recycling classification
  • Analysis of microfiber emissions during washing
  • Development and testing of washing machine filter solutions
  • Gravimetric and microscopic analysis of fiber emissions

Secure handling of ideas and IP

We protect your innovations through proper management of intellectual property and clear non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

Tailored collaborations for textile innovation

RISE offers both specific services and long-term partnerships to support companies in the transition to sustainable and circular textile products. Whether you need testing, certifications, or analyses—or are looking for a more comprehensive collaboration throughout the development journey—we tailor our support to your needs. We also assist with research applications and joint projects, including support in formulating and applying for EU-funded research and innovation projects, as well as advice on national programs.

Get in touch

We provide advisory services throughout the textile value chain—from strategy and material selection to advanced fiber development and recycling. Feel free to book a short advisory meeting directly with one of our experts or contact us by email. We’ll help you take the next step, wherever you are in your transition.

More information

Common questions we help answer

  • How do you prepare for the requirements of the Digital Product Passport in the textile sector?
  • How do you choose materials that enable recycling and minimize environmental impact?
  • How do you design textiles to facilitate disassembly and reuse?
  • How do you ensure your products comply with upcoming EU requirements on ecodesign and product passports?
  • How do you integrate traceability in material selection to enable effective recycling?

Who we support

  • Global and local manufacturers and brands in clothing, interior textiles, workwear, and technical textiles
  • Public sector actors, authorities, regions, municipalities, and municipal waste companies
  • Material and component producers manufacturing textile fibers, plastics, composites, and other materials for textile-related products

Regulations we help you comply with

  • Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC)
  • EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles (2022)
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
  • REACH Regulation (EC 1907/2006)
  • Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) – upcoming
  • Product safety legislation for recycled textile products
  • Textile labeling regulations
  • Environmental permits and occupational safety laws for e.g. recycling facilities

Explore our complete textile innovation offering

We offer innovation support to help turn ideas into sustainable, scalable textile products. With advanced test and demo facilities, paired with extensive and specialised expertise, we support companies across the entire innovation cycle – from strategic guidance and design, to material development, prototyping, testing, certification and material recycling – all within RISE. 

Explore our full textile innovation offering

Anna Jacobs

Contact person

Anna Jacobs

Centrumledare för Substitutionscentrum

+46 10 228 45 30

Read more about Anna

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