The first Textile Recycling Expo took place on 4-5 June in Brussels, attended by more than 4,000 people from across the textile recycling supply chain including UKFT’s Reuse & Recycling Membership Manager Mohammed Patel and CEO Adam Mansell.

Here Mo shares observations from the event and considers what’s next for textile recycling…

“Right from the start of the inaugural Textile Recycling Expo, there was a palpable buzz around the cutting-edge technology but also about the depth and range of conversations taking place. Innovators, policymakers, sorters, recyclers and brands were all in the room to explore the challenges and actively work on solutions. One thing came through clearly: we’ve moved beyond talking about circularity as an ambition. The focus now is on making it a functional, integrated part of how the industry operates.

“Some of the key takeaways that stood out across the two days:

• The role of brands is critical. Design decisions and procurement choices directly affect whether garments can be recycled at end of life.
• The technology exists but demand needs to catch up. Without a stronger market for recycled content, scale will remain out of reach.
• Policy is approaching fast. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and eco-modulation were widely discussed, with particular attention on implementation: ensuring funds go where they’re needed most in infrastructure, innovation and sorting.
• Design must evolve. A circular system can’t be built on throwaway products. Better inputs lead to better outcomes.

“I was pleased to moderate the textile-to-textile recycling panel, which tackled key questions around fibre recovery, feedstock integrity, commercial models and the policy frameworks needed to underpin real progress. The level of insight from the speakers was exceptional. It was a group clearly focused not just on rhetoric, but on real, scalable action.

“The insights from the panel including Marco Lucietti from RE&UP Recycling Technologies, Stina Billinger from Syre, Dolly Vellanki-Seijger from Circ, Pierre Börjesson from Circulose, and Angela Au-Yeung from Samsara Eco, cut through complexity and left a lasting impression.

“The live technology demonstrations were another highlight spanning fibre identification systems through to advanced mechanical and chemical recycling processes. Still, the sense remains: we’re just at the beginning. There is real potential here but plenty of work to do.

“It was also brilliant to see so many UKFT members so well represented, including Coleo, Textile Recycling International, Roberts Recycling, Collection4Clothes+ and Reskinned.

Presentations from Mariska Boer, President of the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) Textiles division, and Steven Bethell, co-founder of Bank and Vogue group drew crowds for good reason, setting a high bar for what is possible.

“I left the event feeling genuinely optimistic. Not because the challenges have gone away, but because the people driving this transition are increasingly aligned, informed and engaged. That’s where progress starts.

“Now we need to carry this momentum forward, working towards a system where recycled becomes standard rather than a special case. Circularity needs to move from the margins to the mainstream. This event showed that we’re heading in the right direction.”

What the organisers said:

The first Textiles Recycling Expo at attracted 126 exhibitors and 3,336 visitors from 67 countries, making it the largest ever meeting focused on textiles recycling. The audience came from across Europe and beyond, with 12% travelling from Africa, Asia and America.

Attendees represented the complete supply chain, from major waste management organisations and pioneering recyclers through to textile manufacturers and leading clothing and retail brands. The latter included sustainability specialists from companies such as Aldi, Burberry, C&A, Chanel, Decathlon, Diesel, Gucci, H&M, Hermes, Ikea, Lidl, M&S, Nike, Oxfam, Patagonia, Primark, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, Uniqlo and Zara. With leading brands, innovators, and policymakers converging under one roof, the expo emphasized the need for collaborative action to promote sustainability, adopt effective recycling technologies, and build a circular economy.

Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director for Circular Economy at the European Commission, gave the opening presentation and remarked on both the energy of the event and the impressive technologies on display. The buzz at the expo was reflected in numerous comments on LinkedIn and social media, including attendees describing it as “bustling, energetic and full of momentum”, and as “a breakthrough week for circular fashion”.

Event Manager, Zied Chetoui said: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to the first-ever Textiles Recycling Expo. The enthusiastic participation certainly demonstrates the industry’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. This event has undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for the future of textile recycling and set a high standard for what we can achieve together.”

The exhibition featured a global array of suppliers of cutting-edge technologies and services to increase textiles recycling rates. Highlights included live demonstrations of innovative sorting systems by Valvan and NewRetex.

Another popular feature was the conference theatre, which was packed out throughout the two-day event. More than 50 expert speakers discussed the latest developments in regulations, technologies, recycling projects and practical ways to increase waste recovery rates.

The exhibition benefited from the widespread support of key industry associations, organisations and consortia, including ReHubs, EURATEX, Accelerating Circularity, Fedustria, Denim Deal, EuRIC and the Textile Recycling Association. Several took part in the expo’s Industry Alliance Hub, which provided a lively meeting place for promoting discussion and collaboration.

The Textiles Recycling Expo has not only highlighted the critical importance of recycling in the textile sector but also inspired new collaborations and initiatives aimed at creating a more sustainable future and truly reflects the exciting momentum that is building for the industry

The next Textiles Recycling Expo will take place in Charlotte, NC, USA on 29-30 April 2026, and the European event will return to Brussels Expo on 24-25 June 2026. Spaces at both exhibitions are already filling up fast.  

Textiles Recycling Expo USA: https://events.amiplastics.com/textiles-recycling-expo-usa 

Textiles Recycling Expo Europe: https://events.amiplastics.com/textiles-recycling-expo 

Textile collectors, sorters, graders, mechanical recyclers, upcyclers and recycling innovators:

Join UKFT’s new Reuse and Recycling Membership to help power the circular economy through partnership. Find out more on the link below

UKFT’s Reuse & Recycling Membership