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The fashion industry faces significant challenges that make its sustainability an urgent priority. From the intensive consumption of natural resources to chemical pollution and high waste generation, there is a growing demand for transformation throughout the value chain.
At Riopele, sustainability is at the heart of our strategy. That’s why we invest daily in research, development, and collaboration with entities that help us innovate and rethink processes, with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry and promoting more circular practices.
It was within this context that we joined the Be@t - Bioeconomy in the Textile Industry project, an initiative aimed at accelerating the green and digital transition of the Portuguese textile and clothing sector. It brings together companies, research centers, and scientific and technological institutions — a total of 56 entities — in a joint effort to reposition the sector as a key pillar of a sustainable bioeconomy.
Riopele joined the “Circularity” pillar, within Initiative 4, focused on the recycling of pre- and post-consumer textile waste. This initiative results from a partnership with CITEVE — a national and European reference in promoting innovation and development in the Textile and Clothing Industry — the University of Beira Interior (UBI), and the company J. Gomes.
R&D in new spinning processes for recycled fibers
The research focused on developing new spinning processes that enable the use of recycled fibers, fostering the circular economy. The project’s results were presented at the ITechStyle Summit 25, which brought together the leading players in the textile and clothing industry to discuss sustainability, innovation, and digitalization in the sector.
The presentation, titled “Recycling Textile Waste into Sustainable Woven Fabrics: A Real Case Study,” addressed the challenges of spinning with recycled fibers, focusing on the case developed by Riopele using linen and viscose blends. The project resulted in real fabrics and demonstrator pieces, reflecting the practical application of the technical developments.
Riopele developed four textile structures from different combinations of recycled fibers: Loriga, Rossim, Seine, and Carriage — resulting in fabrics with distinct characteristics. These developments allowed for the testing of concrete solutions and helped deepen the understanding of how recycled fibers behave throughout the spinning and weaving process.
Although the technical challenges are real — such as the irregularity and lower strength of these fibers compared to virgin ones — it was possible to demonstrate that fabrics with a high recycled content can be produced while maintaining quality and durability. As Ângela Teles, Sustainable Product and Innovation Projects Manager, highlights:
“This project is an active contribution to reducing the consumption of natural resources, reinforcing Riopele's and our partners’ commitment to the circular economy and environmental sustainability.”
The next step will be to further optimize the processes, ensuring more regular and resistant yarns with potential for industrial applications.
“For Riopele, this is a decisive step towards a sustainable textile industry, where innovation and responsibility go hand in hand, transforming the future of fashion,” she concludes.
