SOLSTICE

Abstract:

SOLSTICE aims at demonstrating 4 replicable systemic solutions for the territorial deployment of the circular economy (CE) for the major industrial sector of textiles. All steps of waste prevention and management will be included in a 5R strategy: Refuse / Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, Recycle. The solutions developed can be cross-linked with the plastics value chain.

SOLSTICE will develop tools and strategies to implement the 5R approach. For the 4R Refuse/Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose: Engage the different stakeholders (territories, local companies, local authorities, citizens) to revise their supply chains / behaviour, and become more circular and sustainable; scope and map current state, carry research on, and analysis of, relevant circular interventions per city; create a methodology and blueprints of CE interventions to be tested/piloted; define circular guidelines and indicators.

For the recycle SOLSTICE will support existing and new technologies for increasing the companies’ circularity. The project will demonstrate innovative chemical recycling technologies, able to treat efficiently part of the major streams of polymers in textiles and plastics (polyester, elastane, polyamide, polyurethane) in mild conditions. The technologies allow to recycle multicomponent materials and complex streams and to recycle textile into textile (closed-loop) or into added-value applications (open loop). They are easily adaptable and will allow a local recycling.

The project will also set-up a traceability system based on a Digital Product Passport and designed in relation to existing initiatives.

The demonstration will take place in 4 EU representative territories. Knowledge-transfer and cooperation between the cities and regions involved, and with other stakeholders and projects, will ensure an optimised development and deployment of the new circular concepts, as well as the replicability of the concept and a maximal impact. The deployment of SOLSTICE could save 3.6-9 Mt of GHG emissions by 2030.

Leitat’s Role in the Project:

Lietat’s primary role and contribution to the project focuses on implement Business pilot and demonstration use cases (Recycle): Development and assessment of the chemical recycling technologies at TRL7.