Future Fibres Network Plus March Newsletter

Dear subscribers,

Welcome to our March newsletter. The team have been out and about this month. See the details below!

The video interviews of the teams leading our new mini projects have been released over the last few weeks. The links are available below.

If you would like to promote an event please do get in touch at ffnplus@exeter.ac.uk.

With warm wishes

Tamara

Tamara Galloway is Professor of Ecotoxicology at The University of Exeter

Fragmented Fibres Symposium

Professor Tamara Galloway and Professor Paul Kay were part of an expert panel at the Fragmented Fibres Symposium last week. This event delivered industry-backed insight on how best to quantify and combat fragmented fibre pollution. It brought this project to a close which is led by Professor Muhammad Tausif, and was originally set up to raise awareness of fibrous micro plastic (FMP) pollution among consumers and help the fashion and textile industry to gauge the impact of existing products in the supply chain. Working together with The Microfibre Consortium data and insights from the project will be used to liaise with lobby groups and legislators to inform future policy. You can read more about it in our blog written by Holly Roberts.

Back to Baselines Mid-Point Event

On Tuesday 25 February a number of the Future Fibres team attended our sub-network, Back to Baselines Mid-Point event at Nexus at the University of Leeds. The team reviewed industry progress towards circularity and sustainable development. Experts from each of the five themes presented updates: environmental targets, eco-standards, innovation, skills, and cultures. Workshops and panels provided diverse perspectives to enhance the Sustainable Transition Fund projects.

Mill Visit

The team from one of our newly-funded mini projects, All Cellulose Composite attended the Ogam Mill in Leeds last week. You can read about it here .

Updates from Mini Projects

All - Cellulose Composite

Hear the project's strategy from Dr Helen Paine, PI of the project.

Coloration in Flow

In this video, Dr Joseph Houghton explains the purpose of this ground-breaking research project.

CollaborAcademy

Dr Rosie Hornbuckle describes the importance of the work that her project is shaping for the future of our industry.

UP (Unlocking potential of post-consumer textiles...)

Project PI Professor Stephen Russell outlines the project's approach to improving textile recycling in the UK.

Fabriotic

Dr Angela Sherry, the Lead PI, sets out the work that they are carrying out to increase the life of sportswear.

Increasing Textile Circularity

University of Plymouth's Dr Max Kelly summarises the project's main objectives here.

Neoprene Recycling

In this video Dr Katie Major-Smith identifies the importance of neoprene recycling in the UK.

Bio-based Sequins

This video will be available soon - keep your eye on our socials for the latest!

Network Plus ECR Training for PhD students

The ECR network for the Circular Fashion programme is hosting a Policy Engagement Training Programme. We want to invite you all to this training, which will be held on Friday, March 27. This form of training is paid for by the circular fashion programme by the end of this training you will be able to:

Understand the legislative process and key intervention points.
Be able to identify key policy engagement stakeholders and how to work with them.
Work with a range of parliamentary services to ensure policymakers have accurate and up-to-date information.
Plan out a policy engagement plan.
Devise and deliver your evaluation plan.

This is a free training that is tailored for policy engagement in sustainable fashion being provided which can accelerate your knowledge and understanding in this area so please take full advantage. Recommended by the Royal Society, Jamie Gallagher is one of the most experienced Public Engagement trainers in the UK and has delivered hundreds of workshops around the world. He will be delivering his session in two parts on the following dates:

Topic: Policy Engagement: Part 1 (ECR Circular Fashion Programme)

Time: Mar 27, 2025 09:30 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81813707032?pwd=7zRzCHYsabMCcyaVYNa3e6DSPJGN6g.1

Meeting ID: 818 1370 7032

Passcode: 106915

Topic: Policy Engagement: Part 2 (ECR Circular Fashion Programme)

Time: Apr 4, 2025 09:30 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84122299222?pwd=S3xpr72Iat7IRrUYGoYudIxsjdtmJn.1

Meeting ID: 841 2229 9222

Passcode: 338459

For more information email Abigail Irving-Munro at a.irving-munro@northumbria.ac.uk.

New CFIN Guide - Shaping the Future of Circular Fashion Communication

How can fashion brands and retailers effectively communicate their circular initiatives to drive customer engagement? CFIN and Clarasys, in collaboration with APE and Positive Fashion, have released a comprehensive new guide addressing this critical industry question following their recent industry workshop. The guide, titled "Shaping the Future of Circular Fashion Communication: Overcoming Barriers, Driving Engagement, and Ensuring Compliance", provides fashion brands and retailers with practical strategies to enhance customer engagement in circular initiatives. Download the full guide to discover actionable strategies to enhance how brands communicate sustainability initiatives and drive meaningful customer engagement.

The guide was developed in partnership with The Experience Consultancy co-authors of the Circular Experience Design Toolkit with University' of Exeter's Centre for Circular Economy. Clarasys is a purpose-driven agency working with global fashion brands on navigating ESG regulation and scaling circular initiatives.

Regulatory compliance: UKFT updates guides to help members navigate the EU GPSR

UKFT has updated two key member guides to provide further clarity and support for UK fashion and textile businesses navigating the EU GPSR. Read more on these updated guides here and head over to their website for further information. This includes the UKFT Guide to the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) as well as updated technical files and risk assessment guide.

How Kitround is giving pre-gamed sports kits another life

A wonderful initiative called Kitround is tackling sports kit and equipment waste by creating the UK's first dedicated marketplace for pre-gamed sports kit. Founder Wendy Carter turned her nephew's unused football boots into inspiration for a platform that's already collected nearly 6,000 pieces of kit and pledged £40,000 to support grassroots sport. Read about it here.

Threading up Europe's textile circularity: Bridging policy and industry through trade

EuRIC Textiles is organising a high-level event on 27 March 2025, in Brussels, focusing on the future of the EU textiles reuse and recycling sector.

The event will include the formal presentation of the EuRIC Textiles Manifesto and feature discussions on advancing textile circularity in Europe, bridging the gap between policymaking and business realities, and facilitating the trade of second-hand clothing.

Register to secure your spot here.

Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference

This two-day business conference targets forward-thinking leaders in the apparel and textiles industry, bringing together a variety of stakeholders to focus on essential strategies for tackling today’s challenges. Attendees will be equipped with actionable insights and guides for adapting operations to create a real impact amid growing competition and scrutiny, all while managing tight budgets. This event will take place from 29-30 April 2025 in Amsterdam. More information can be found here.

Transforming textile waste: Textiles Recycling Expo

This ground-breaking exhibition is the first of its kind, focusing specifically on solving the pressing issue of textile waste, including the recycling of fabrics, clothing, footwear, fibres and non-wovens. The event will take place in Belgium on 4-5 June 2025. TEXTILES RECYCLING EXPO - Brussels Expo

LITAC -International Textile and Colour Conference

The inaugural International Textiles and Colour Conference, which takes place at the University of Leeds on 25 June. The conference, which is organised by Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), will focus on strategies, technologies and innovations to enable the sustainable development of textile and colour industries across associated supply chains. For more information, please see Call for Abstracts | ITCC 2025.

Special Issue: Reconciling Sustainable Practices, Competitiveness and Economic Development

The International Journal of Technology, Management and Sustainable Development has a special issue coming up called Reconciling Sustainable Practices, Competitiveness and Economic Development'. Submission dates: 18 April-9 June 2025. Intellect Books | International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development

Re-Imagining Fashion Retailing and Marketing in the Epoch of Sustainability and Digitalization

International Journal of Sustainable Fashion & Textiles is from the same publishing house, and has a call for papers out for a special issue on Re-Imagining Fashion Retailing and Marketing in the Epoch of Sustainability and Digitalization. SFT_Re_Imagining_CFP.pdf. The deadline for this one is 1 May 2025.

Future Fabrics Expo 2025 – Book Your Place!

Mark your calendars for Future Fabrics Expo 2025, taking place on 24-25th June at the state-of-the-art Magazine London venue. This flagship event for Fashion & Textiles during London Climate Action Week brings together over 100 leading material producers showcasing 10,000+ sustainably produced fabrics and materials.

Explore dedicated areas including the Innovation Hub featuring 50+ breakthrough technologies, the Footwear Hub, Home & Interiors Area, and special zones focused on decarbonisation, regenerative agriculture, and circularity. The popular Seminar Series will run alongside the Expo, featuring industry pioneers and thought leaders.

Whether you're sourcing sustainable alternatives, discovering innovations, or connecting with material producers, Future Fabrics Expo offers unparalleled opportunities to experience next-generation textiles first-hand.

Registration is open now – secure your spot.

FUTURESCAN Conference

The Association of Fashion and Textile Courses is holding its FUTURESCAN conference at De Montfort University in Leicester on 9/10 September 2025. For information visit: FTC | Futurescan: 6

Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC) 2025 - Fibre to Future: Transforming Fashion and Textiles through Sustainability and Digitalisation

The 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC) 2025 will be hosted by AQUITEX and take place from 7 – 10 October 2025 at Porto Palácio Congress Hotel and Spa, Porto, Portugal.

The conference will explore cutting-edge approaches to addressing sustainability challenges, from the environmental impact of textile production to the development of circular economies. It will showcase innovative digital technologies that enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across the entire supply chain—from fibre production and manufacturing to consumer use and end-of-life solutions.

Key discussions will focus on strategies to accelerate the textile industry’s transition towards sustainable practices and digital transformation. With insights from leading academics, industry experts, and policymakers, the event will highlight actionable strategies for reducing environmental impact, minimising waste, and embracing zero-carbon solutions in line with global sustainability goals.

Future Observatory: Tomorrow’s Wardrobe

14 SEPTEMBER 2024 – AUGUST 2025

Discover the urgent research and innovation taking place to design a future for fashion that is both stylish and sustainable. Tomorrow's Wardrobe brings together a diversity of designers from across the fashion industry who are revolutionising the way we create, make, and wear clothes – including exhibits from friends of Future Fibres – Project Plan B and Dr Laetitia Forst. Professor Kate Goldsworthy supported the exhibition as curatorial advisor alongside Jalaj Hora (Nike) and Susan Postlethwaite (Manchester Metropolitan University). More information here.

PLATE (Product Lifetimes and the Environment Conference)

This event will take place at Aalborg University in Denmark from 2-4 July. More information can be found here.

To keep up-to-date with Future Fibres Network+ latest events, go to the website, www.futurefibresnetworkplus.com, follow us at @futurefibresnetwork+ or to sign up to our newsletter register here.

Call for Papers for SETAC

EFFECTS OF TEXTILES MICROFIBERS & CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

There is still time to submit your manuscript to the Special Issue “Textiles Microfibers and Chemicals” that Professor Tamara Galloway is guest editing. More information can be found here.

Follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn to hear about the network's latest events throughout the UK. We have moved from X to Bluesky.

The Future Fibres Network+ newsletter is published monthly.

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Do you have any news, an event or paper you would to promote? Email the details with any links or images to: ffnplus@exeter.ac.uk by 20 April.

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