The Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC) is a four year £5.4m research project that aims to develop a circular textiles economy, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Led by the Royal College of Art (RCA), the TCC is also working with Cranfield University, University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Manchester and University of York.

The project, which officially launched in 2021, has three interconnecting research strands: Materials Circularity, Circular Supply Chain, and Consumer Experience.

Materials Circularity Research

Here, researchers are looking to transform waste feedstocks into functional and regenerative textiles designed for circularity. They are using pioneering biotechnology to convert waste into building blocks for new polymer and fibre production. Innovations in the fabrication and design of circular textiles will enable technology-driven processes that use local materials.

Circular Supply Chain Design Research

In this area, researchers are establishing narrow, slow and closed resource flows through better tools for Circular Supply Chains. The project is studying which novel supply chain configurations and technologies are required for bio-based textiles circular supply chains.

Consumer Experience Research

This area of research will look at how to design consumer experiences that engage people in interactive, meaningful, co-creative and sustainable cultures around products, transforming their role from ‘consumers’ to ‘active co-creators’ in a sustainable product cycle.

Watch the annual showcase for the latest progress from the TCC:

The UK: Creators of responsible fashion and textiles