Recycled Textiles for Construction
In Finland, the textiles separate collection obligation became effective at the beginning of 2023. In the EU, this obligation came effective on 1 January 2025. This reduces the amount of textiles ending up in mixed waste, but at the same time increases the amount of collected textiles and deteriorates their quality.
In Finland, approximately 87,000 tons of waste textiles are generated annually, of which only approximately 20% are reused or recycled. Most of the waste textiles are incinerated. However, waste textiles are a potential source of raw materials. The challenge is to find large-volume uses for waste textiles.
Of the waste textiles collected from companies and consumers, textiles containing fibre blends and elastane, as well as multilayer textiles. These materials are challenging in terms of recycling. The ReTexCon project focuses on waste textiles that have no reuse potential as such and for which no clear recycling solution can be found. In addition, the project aims to develop use or recycling opportunities for challenging textile side streams arising from companies' production.
In construction, textiles are used, for example, as protective tarpaulins, nets, geotextiles in drainage, frost insulation of the soil and embankments. Other construction textiles include felt roofs, wall panels, sound and thermal insulation and acoustic panels.
In relation to construction, it is also possible to reinforce concrete with fibre mass or structures. Waste textile fibres can be used also for example to increase the tensile strength of clay and to the various construction non-woven products and board products.
The project is being implemented as a group project of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), Turku University of Applied Sciences (Turku AMK) and LAB University of Applied Sciences (LAB). The main administrator of the project is Tampere University of Applied Sciences, LAB acts as a sub-implementer in the project.
LAB University of Applied Sciences' task in the project is:
- to develop a digital tool to connect the construction industry's recycled textile material and data flow
- to study and test the utilization of recycled textiles in the production of building boards
- to study the identification and sorting of textiles without having to open them into fibers.
In Finland, approximately 87,000 tons of waste textiles are generated annually, of which only approximately 20% are reused or recycled. Most of the waste textiles are incinerated. However, waste textiles are a potential source of raw materials. The challenge is to find large-volume uses for waste textiles.
Of the waste textiles collected from companies and consumers, textiles containing fibre blends and elastane, as well as multilayer textiles. These materials are challenging in terms of recycling. The ReTexCon project focuses on waste textiles that have no reuse potential as such and for which no clear recycling solution can be found. In addition, the project aims to develop use or recycling opportunities for challenging textile side streams arising from companies' production.
In construction, textiles are used, for example, as protective tarpaulins, nets, geotextiles in drainage, frost insulation of the soil and embankments. Other construction textiles include felt roofs, wall panels, sound and thermal insulation and acoustic panels.
In relation to construction, it is also possible to reinforce concrete with fibre mass or structures. Waste textile fibres can be used also for example to increase the tensile strength of clay and to the various construction non-woven products and board products.
The project is being implemented as a group project of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), Turku University of Applied Sciences (Turku AMK) and LAB University of Applied Sciences (LAB). The main administrator of the project is Tampere University of Applied Sciences, LAB acts as a sub-implementer in the project.
LAB University of Applied Sciences' task in the project is:
- to develop a digital tool to connect the construction industry's recycled textile material and data flow
- to study and test the utilization of recycled textiles in the production of building boards
- to study the identification and sorting of textiles without having to open them into fibers.
Project period
-
Project state
On-going
Project area
National
Project funding
EAKR 2021-2027
LAB role
Partner
Unit
Technology
Project focus area
Multipurpose materials
