Going Circular Going Cellulose

Going Circular Going Cellulose (GC)2 is a study by ArtEZ and Saxion into the possibilities of connecting the technical production of yarns and textiles from sustainable cellulose fibres to the wishes and requirements of textile designers.

Sustainability and circular economy are key issues in the textile supply chain. Many companies want to make more sustainable textile products, but do not know how. Sustainability requires a circular chain, in which very different standards and values apply than in the linear production chain. (GC)2 investigates effective development methods within a circular textile chain using a co-creation process, to adapt the technical design of yarns and textiles made of sustainable cellulose fibres (including recycled cotton and hemp) to the wishes and requirements of designers of finished textile products. Designers play an important role in the acceptance of sustainable textile products by making them aesthetically appealing. In addition, designers need to develop more technical knowledge of sustainable materials and production techniques. It is essential that they are involved in material development at an early stage so that they can anticipate sustainable design.

Through collaboration between all stakeholders in the textile chain, technical design can enhance aesthetic design and vice versa. The research focused on how stakeholders in the circular chain can cooperate and what knowledge they need to exchange to actually realise this synergy.