Dr. Ericka Ford leads sustainable textile research at The Textile Engine

I am pleased to share that our latest research work, “A Systematic Review on Circular Economy Practices in the Textile Industries,” has been successfully published. Read the full paper here 👉 https://rdcu.be/eJ7bN The textile industry is one of the largest global sectors—but also one of the most polluting, due to the massive generation of textile waste and wastewater. This study explores how Circular Economy (CE) principles can transform this industry toward sustainability. Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, we analysed 54 research articles and identified 35 CE practices, categorised into seven major groups. The most prominent practice identified was the use of recycled materials in textile production. The study emphasises the importance of collaboration among stakeholders—governments, manufacturers, consumers, and recyclers—to promote sustainable production and waste management. Key insights: Governments should design policies encouraging sustainable manufacturing. Manufacturers can integrate eco-design and sustainable materials. Recyclers need efficient sorting and recycling technologies. This research provides valuable guidance for both practitioners and policymakers, offering strategic and policy-level recommendations for a more circular and sustainable textile industry. 🙏 Heartfelt thanks to my co-authors Rahul Sharma, Tejendra Singh Gaur and Dr.Prabhat Dixit for their valuable contributions and teamwork throughout this research journey. #ManipalUniversityJaipur #MUJ #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #TextileIndustry #WasteManagement #ResearchPublication #SystematicReview #SustainableDevelopment

Dr. Dr.-Ing. Leonie Beek, head of chemical technologies for textile & fiber innovations at ITA Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University, has been awarded the highly prestigious Paul Schlack Prize 2025 for her dissertation on the Bionic Oil Adsorber (BOA) – a floating textile system designed to remove oil from water in a sustainable, cost-effective way. 🌊 💯 Developed in collaboration with researchers from ITA, the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, and Heimbach Group, the BOA offers an innovative response to oil spills. “I am very honored to receive the 2025 Paul Schlack Prize,” says Beek. “It confirms that bionics can deliver creative solutions with real market potential – from everyday challenges to major problems. The award motivates me to keep pushing forward with the BOA and other bionic innovations.” Imagine a boat accident near the shore of a lake: several liters of diesel fuel spill into the water. Within an hour, the Bionic Oil Adsorber could remove up to four liters of oil – enough to clear a film covering roughly 100 square meters. 👍 The BOA consists of a floating container fitted with a textile element that extends into the water. The textile selectively absorbs the oil film and channels it to a collection container, where the oil separates naturally and can be recovered. The container is then emptied and reused. Unlike conventional oil-absorbent nonwoven fabrics, which are single-use and must be incinerated after deployment, the BOA is fully reusable, generates no waste, and avoids the need for environmentally harmful dispersants. It is also cost-effective: at an estimated ten cents per liter of oil removed, the process is five to thirteen times cheaper than conventional alternatives. The BOA’s design takes inspiration from the floating fern. The plant’s leaves rapidly absorb oil thanks to fine hairs that bind hydrocarbons, while their waxy surfaces repel water. Transferring this principle to a novel, superhydrophobic textile, the research team created a material that can be manufactured flexibly in different sizes and shapes depending on the site of use. “This year, I had the opportunity to supervise another thesis on the BOA, which resulted in a demonstrator at the next stage of scaling,” Beek reports. “Each step brings us closer to market launch.” 😀 📸: Andreas Schmitter

I’m excited to share that my first review article, titled “Microplastic Emissions in Textile Wet Processing: Progress, Challenges, and Mitigation Strategies,” has been officially published! 🎉 This work explores one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time — microplastic pollution originating from textile manufacturing. The paper provides an in-depth review of: 🔹 Mechanisms of microplastic release during wet processing 🔹 Current detection and quantification methods 🔹 Ongoing advancements in eco-friendly processing technologies 🔹 Promising mitigation strategies for a more sustainable textile future This milestone marks a meaningful step in my research journey toward developing sustainable and low-impact textile practices. I’m deeply grateful to my mentors, co-authors, and the School of Textile Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, for their guidance and support throughout this journey. 🙏 Here to explore : https://lnkd.in/dYHQXBWt #ResearchPublication #Microplastics #Sustainability #TextileEngineering #EnvironmentalScience #EcoFriendlyInnovation #Research #SustainableTextiles #PollutionMitigation #ZhejiangSciTechUniversity

#research2025 I am pleased to share the publication of our new book titled "Advances in Textile Materials and Processing Techniques for Sustainability". Key highlights of the book include: - Advances in textile materials and processing techniques, leading to sustainability in the textile and fashion sector - Presents biodegradable textile materials, energy-efficient manufacturing processes and integration of smart technologies - Discusses consumer acceptance, regulatory and certification regimes for sustainable textiles This book is part of the book series (SDGs and Textiles) available at https://lnkd.in/g9d-q6rn We sincerely thank all the amazing authors from different countries, including Walter Chipambwa, benjamin eghan, George K. Fobiri, Dr. Sharon Nunoo, Rafiu King Raji (PhD), Emmanuel Ofori, Dr. Bismark Sarkodie, Dr. Chanchal Kumar Kundu, Dr. jyoti sawant, Dr. Kyungeun Sung, Prof. Bin Fei, Emmanuel Danso, Bernice Djangmah, Dr Tahera Kalsoom, Dr. Ramratan Guru, Edward Apau, amongst others and the pioneers within the field whose works have been cited in this book.

Inside GOZEN: Bio-Technique & the Future of Materials: Interview with former CEO Dr. Sedef Uncu Aki What if materials could think, evolve, and regenerate like living systems? In this conversation with Muchaneta ten Napel from Shape Innovate, Dr. Sedef Uncu Aki, former CEO of Gozen, walks us through their vision for LUNAFORM™, a bio-based material grown via fermentation, engineered for sustainability, performance, and creative freedom. We cover: • How Gozen bridges nature and technology • The design potential of 100 % bio-based materials • Real-world challenges in scaling the future of textiles • How LUNAFORM™ can shift the paradigm in fashion and beyond Tune in for a rare look at the intersection of material science, design, and responsibility. https://lnkd.in/ePyjY4uw

InnoFiber Research Lab brought real-world textile innovation to the University of Minho’s Inovar e Empreender 2025 showcase—spotlighting projects like GIATEX, BioShoes4All, and Beat that merge sustainability with applied science. 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁... #TextileInnovation #Sustainability #ResearchToReality #InnoFiber #UMinho #CircularEconomy #ClimateAction #TexSPACEToday 

Did you know that manufacturers can already monitor fiber shedding from the clothing they sell? We'll explore the topic of polyester microfiber shedding together with Sophia Murden, one of the scientists who developed a five-point visual scale for evaluating and selecting low-shedding materials. Her study was published in the journal 'Plastics' by Heriot-Watt University in Scotland in November 2024. How valuable is this information for the textile industry, and how are brands implementing it? Stay tuned as we introduce you to Sophia and her work shortly. She'll be a guest in our next science talk on Tuesday, Sept. 30th, 18:30-18:50 CET (IG live). PS: At Ocean. Now!, we still advocate for biodegradable materials and reduced production overall. That said, we're eager to learn more about this important work. Join us!

Did you know that indigo, one of the oldest dyes, is getting a green makeover? 🌿 Pili, a biotech innovator, is scaling eco-friendly indigo production using microbial fermentation—an exciting leap for sustainable chemistry. Traditional indigo dyeing is notorious for polluting waterways and consuming vast resources. By rethinking this process biologically, Pili reduces environmental harm while maintaining vibrant color quality. This breakthrough goes beyond fashion. The same sustainable bioprocesses offer a blueprint for greener pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical synthesis—fields desperately seeking cleaner, safer alternatives. Yet, challenges remain. Scaling up without compromising yields and ensuring cost-effectiveness are hurdles that highlight the delicate balance between innovation and industrial viability. For students and researchers, this case exemplifies how merging biology with chemistry can address environmental crises and pave the way for responsible innovation. What if the next sustainable molecule designed in a lab could heal both humans and the planet? How do you think these bio-based advances will reshape the future of chemistry and drug design? #SustainableChemistry #GreenBiotech #EcoInnovation #MicrobialFermentation #IndigoDye #BiotechInnovation #DrugDesign #PharmaResearch #ChemistryStudents #BioResearch #MasterChimieStrasbourg #Strasbourg #UniversityOfStrasbourg

“Recycling plastics may have just gotten as simple as flipping a switch, thanks to scientists from Eindhoven University of Technology. The school reported on the study, recently published in the Advanced Materials journal, which used an LED light to break down and create a new class of high-performance plastics. The research team is part of the Polymer Performance Materials research group, whose focus is on developing new polymers with organic materials and no toxic substances that can enable inventive ways to recycle plastics. The goal of creating these polymers is to establish a chemical closed-loop recycling system. Currently, the recycling of plastic involves melting down and reshaping plastics made of moldable polymer chains, which leads to deterioration over time, meaning these plastics cannot be recycled indefinitely. However, with photochemical recycling, an LED light selectively splits stable chemical bonds in the polymer, allowing original building blocks of the polymer chain to be recovered and then used to create new plastic. This allows the polymer to be recreated indefinitely, resulting in circular recycling without any quality loss.” https://lnkd.in/ee-awrxi

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒂 𝗧𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Boise State Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering's Scott Phillips has turned 15 years of research into real-world impact. His breakthrough closed-loop plastic polymer can be fully depolymerized and recycled into its original building blocks. In 2025, after successful experiments, Avery Dennison licensed the technology from Boise State University to explore further possibilities. For Phillips, commercializing this polymer is not only a huge step for his research, but for the field of plastics recycling. Learn more about the sustainability breakthrough here: https://bit.ly/4nFHifP #BoiseState #BoiseStateCOEN #sustainability #research #polymers