The Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN) programme has now successfully concluded. Co-led by the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) and the British Fashion Council (BFC), and delivered in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), CFIN has mobilised cross-industry action and evidence to advance circular systems, infrastructure, business models and manufacturing across the UK fashion and textile sector.
Project duration: September 2023 – May 2025
Co-chairs: UKFT and BFC
Funding: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) via Innovate UK, AHRC and NERC
Outputs: Final report, interim report, thematic reports, national infrastructure planning documents and policy frameworks
CFIN was established with the purpose of accelerating systemic change in the UK fashion and textile industry by convening stakeholders across the value chain — from raw material suppliers to manufacturers, retailers, innovators and recyclers — around practical, scalable pathways toward circularity. The network’s work spanned six thematic pillars that frame the circular transformation agenda.
Strategic Pillars
Circular Business Models
This theme focused on embedding circularity into core business strategy, reducing waste and driving new value creation through resale, repair, takeback and service-based models.
Research revealed that while a large majority of organisations included circularity in their five-year strategies, most customer-facing initiatives remained in early or pilot phases, highlighting opportunity and need for support in scaling circular business approaches.
Recycling Infrastructure
UKFT led this pillar which explored the structural systems needed to enable sustainable management of post-consumer textiles, currently estimated at over 1.3 million tonnes annually.
The work articulated a National Textile Recycling Infrastructure Plan that identifies the infrastructure, technology, workforce and market needs for a functioning textile-to-textile recycling ecosystem in the UK and laid foundations for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy.
Sustainable Manufacturing
UKFT led this pillar which addressed opportunities for reshoring UK manufacturing, adopting automation and robotics, enhancing domestic capacity, and reducing environmental impacts in processes like textile dyeing.
CFIN supported pilots using AI planning tools and explored on-shore finishing models, alongside engagement in workshops and guideline development for compliance and innovation adoption.
Novel Technology
CFIN spotlighted technological innovation relevant to circular fashion systems, including automation, advanced materials, AI in production and data systems that support traceability and closed-loop models.
This work helped bridge innovators with industry and inform emerging adoption pathways.
Diverse & Future-Proof Workforce
Developing skills and talent for future circular systems was a cross-cutting theme.
CFIN engaged stakeholders in workforce planning, explored training pathways and assessed where skills gaps could inhibit industry transition, promoting education frameworks aligned with circular economy needs.
Green Growth
This area considered the economic case for circular fashion innovation and the enabling conditions for investment.
Reports and dialogues framed opportunities for investors, highlighted business cases across segments and aimed to strengthen market confidence in sustainable product, services and technology sectors.
Key Reports & Deliverables
National Textile Recycling Infrastructure Plan
A strategic roadmap addressing infrastructure needs, workforce development, technology adoption and market capacity to support domestic recycling and circular systems.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework
An industry-endorsed approach to financing circular innovation and infrastructure by aligning mandatory participation, eco-modulated fees and reinvestment mechanisms.
Circular business model analysis
Insights on current adoption levels, barriers to scaling and opportunities across resale, repair and takeback services.
Sustainable manufacturing pathways
Evidence from pilot initiatives and strategic analysis for reshoring production and enhancing UK competitiveness.
This report consolidates lessons, practical tools and evidence to support brands, manufacturers, policymakers and investors in driving systemic change.
Supporting thematic reports and insights
Across the programme, CFIN supported and published several additional resources that informed the project’s evidence base:
Innovations in Textile and Apparel Dyeing Report
Sector insights on sustainable dying technologies
Circular Manufacturing Report
Overview of circular manufacturing practices in the UK
Advancing Automation and Robotics for Sustainable Manufacturing
Targeted recommendations on robotics and automation adoption
Responsible UK Fashion and Textile Supply Chains Report
Recommendations to enhance compliance and domestic production practices.
Reshoring for Real | The Future of Domestic UK Apparel Manufacturing
Analysis of repositioning UK apparel production
Investment in Circular Fashion | Opportunities and Success Stories
Analysis of investment dynamics and myths, illustrating strategic opportunities for capital deployment in circular innovation.
Project launch: September 2023, establishing cross-sector collaboration and advisory governance.
Interim Report: October 2024, marking first-year insights and early action priorities.
Final Report: May 2025, consolidating evidence, recommendations and roadmaps for industry adoption.
Supporting reports and industry dialogues published throughout 2024–2025 to inform programme pillars.
CFIN brought together more than 250 organisations representing a broad cross-section of the UK fashion and textile ecosystem including retailers, brands, manufacturers, technology innovators, recyclers, academia, civil society and policymakers, fostering collaboration on circular innovation.
CFIN has delivered an industry-aligned evidence base, strategic frameworks and actionable guidance to shape future circular fashion policy, infrastructure and practice.
The work has positioned the UK to:
- Strengthen textile recycling infrastructure and feedstock markets.
- Expand circular business models from pilot to mainstream.
- Enhance manufacturing competitiveness and sustainability.
- Build investor confidence in circular innovation.
The evidence and frameworks from CFIN provide a foundation for ongoing collaboration between government, industry and civil society to realise a circular fashion ecosystem in the UK.
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