R&D

The RETEX aims to restructure the textile value chain to fit the circular economy by putting economic actors to the disposition of the textile industry, by reassessing the "end-of-life management system of textiles" and by stimulating the market demands of products containing recycled materials

The RECY-COMPOSITE project addresses the problems related to the mechanical and chemical recycling of composite materials (pyrolysis and solvolysis) and the energy recovery if recycling is not possible. The applied research is conducted on the production waste stream of thermo-curing composites and of end-of-life in thermo-curing and thermoplastic composite materials.

The purpose of the Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen project "Elasto-Plast" is to familiarize companies with the range of options thermoplastic elastomers (TPE’s) provide to enhance the processability and properties of conventional polymers.

The LIFE RECYSITE project aims to demonstrate recyclability and reuse of a new generation of high performance fibre-reinforced thermoset composites from renewable resources (bio-waste)

Duratex is an Interreg V France-Wallonie-Flanders project looking for eco-friendly water and oil repellent textiles for building and architectural applications. The project is part of the portfolio GoToS3.

The search for new high quality materials is increasingly focusing on the development of eco-friendly materials based on natural fibres and polymers from renewable resources. The industrial valorisation of natural fibres, such as flax, is growing rapidly in the border region of Northern France, Wallonia and Flanders. The region is also very active in the in the industrial production of bio-resins.

Urbanrec is a H2020 funded research project aiming to improve the logistics and treatment of waste, such as furniture, mattresses, upholstery, textiles and plastic garden products by means of innovative and patented separating techniques that will generate a net profit of 225 euro per ton.

This CORNET project financed by Vlaio will screen the application possibilities and preferred processing conditions of polybutylene succinate (a biobased polymer) in textile applications.

The sector of photonic textiles in buildings and mobility contain real possibilities. Both areas are important within the H2020 projects of the European Commission in view of future and innovating textile applications. The integration of such novel textiles in buildings also complies with the European directives regarding the reduction of energy consumption with 20% in buildings by 2020 (Directive 2012/27/EU and the European Parliament and Council of 25 Otober 2012) and the construction of zero-energy buildings from 2021 onwards.

Today, PLA is made from corncobs, sugarcane and sugar beets, but, in the future, it will be produced from agricultural wastes. Using PLA is beneficial because it is a renewable resource that does not (or to a lesser degree) deplete the oil resources. This certainly reduces the carbon–footprint of the end product.