Join RegioGreenTex in Mechelen, Belgium for a day of insights, exchanges, and concrete actions shaping the circular future of Europe’s textile industry.
This event will bring together public authorities, industry leaders, researchers, and regional partners to co-design a more sustainable, innovative, and regionally connected textile value chain.
Organised within the framework of the Lowlands GreenTex Hub of the European RegioGreenTex project, the event will showcase tangible results achieved by partners across the Hauts-de-France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and open the discussion on the next steps toward a truly circular textile transition at the European level.
Agenda
09:00 – Welcome coffee
09:30 – Introduction by EURATEX & presentation of the RegioGreenTex project EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, will outline Europe’s ambitions for circularity with the RegioGreenTex project — its goals, achievements, and next steps.
09:45 – Opening Keynote : Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Towards the Circular Economy An inspiring keynote to rethink, reimagine, and build the future around the circular economy.
10:00 – Lowlands GreenTex Hub in Motion – by Oost NL, Centexbel et EuraMaterials A look back at the Lowlands GreenTex Hub: how interregional cooperation fosters textile innovation and territorial transformation. A discussion on achievements, challenges, and opportunities to further strengthen circular momentum.
10:45 – Networking Break
11:15 – Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Clothing – France, Belgium & Netherlands Representatives from Stichting UPV Textiel, Retexbel, Refashion and OVAM, moderated by Textile-ETP, will provide a European overview of textile EPR: national approaches, lessons learned, harmonisation perspectives, and cross-border challenges
12:30 – Networking Lunch
13:45 – Circular Textile Business Models Partners from the Lowlands GreenTex Hub – Saxcell, Peignage Dumortier, Quest, Ecoso and UTTY – will present real-life examples of circular business models: from fibre recycling to the design of sustainable garments, including prototype testing and pilot results from the project.
15:00 – Networking Break
15:30 – Interregional Challenges in the Circular Textile Economy Experiences from CILAB, NOOSA, PURFI and UTEXBEL will showcase how different actors are developing circular offerings together with their value chain partners.
16:45 – Agenda & Conclusion Summary of key outcomes, shared vision for the Lowlands Hub, and upcoming opportunities for collaboration, including with the Circular Fashion Week and other partner initiatives.
17:00 – End of the conference
Access
📍 Het Predikheren, Goswin de Stassartstraat 88, 2800 Mechelen (Malines), Belgium
🚆 35 km from Brussels – From Brussels Midi Station, take the train to Mechelen-Nekkerspoel (45 min) and walk 15 minutes to the venue.