Circular Textiles Workplace Maastricht

• the origin of the raw materials used
• the chemicals and dyes commonly added during production
• the release of microfibers throughout the value chain
• the current overconsumption model (i.e. fast fashion)
• the lack of effective solutions for textile waste

How can we, locally, work towards a more sustainable textile ecosystem? The Circular Textiles Workplace Maastricht brings together different regional stakeholders to collectively explore this question. 

Multiple projects will be carried out under this umbrella, led by the different regional partners, with a physical workspace in Maastricht as the main headquarters. Special attention will be given to the research, development, education and production of recycled or biobased clothing.

Within this context, AMIBM is involved in three main activities:

• Research
  Many research questions need to be studied to facilitate a more sustainable textile ecosystem. During this period, we will focus on researching the chemical and enzymatic depolymerization of common textiles fibers. This supports both the optimization of the recycling process and the reduction of microfiber pollution in the environment.

• Prototyping
  Yarns spun at AMIBM may now be further processed at the Circular Textiles Workplace Maastricht and knitted into prototypes through a computer-controlled 3D knitting machine. This may be done in collaboration with designers from Zuyd Hogeschool, KINKLEID, or Jan van Eyck Academie, among others.

• Education
  Knowledge institutes such as AMIBM have much to offer in terms of education. But how can this expertise be made accessible to different segments of the public? A series of sub-projects and events may be created to bring science to a broader audience.