Overview
The greenhouse gas emissions caused by the textile industry must be drastically reduced by 2030 in order to achieve the global 1.5 degree target (COP 21). According to the "Fashion on Climate" report (Berg, 2020), new consumption patterns, the development of circular business models and the reduction of production-related emissions are required. The research project "Circular Workwear - CWW" develops circular product and service concepts for workwear to further explore the way towards a circular textile industry.
Workwear forms an ideal starting point for the investigation of circular product systems. It is designed as a robust textile product with low variation in material composition. The use phase is consistent, controlled and documented. Nevertheless, considerable volumes of worn-out and unworn workwear are incinerated or downcycled every year because there are no closed material loops. Consumers, customers, authorities and the industry itself are demanding more sustainable solutions.
A major challenge lies in the high functional requirements for workwear, which are decisive for the entire industry. Here, circular design strategies are intended to form guiding principles in order to be able to develop adequate products. In addition, processes in reverse logistics that have hitherto not been in place and untapped potential with regard to digital data form research fields for the project group throughout the entire value chain and within the product life cycle.
Under the leadership of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, together with the partner companies CWS, Datamars, Hüsler Berufskleider and Texaid and in cooperation with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Computer Science and Engineering & Architecture, visionary, holistic and interdisciplinary solutions are to be developed – away from linear production structures towards a sustainable and circular textile economy.
During a two-year project, the transdisciplinary team will investigate and evaluate circular design strategies, reuse practices, wash and use processes up to the end of the product’s life, and product life cycle data. As a result, the Circular Workwear - CWW project will develop circular eco-design criteria, a common reverse logistics concept, measures for the implementation of circular business models, and a data model for tracking value in real time and environmental footprints such as CO2 emissions.
The research project Circular Workwear - CWW is funded by the Swiss Agency for Innovation – Innosuisse and supported by Coop, Säntis Textiles and Sustainable Textiles Switzerland 2030.
