The inaugural Textiles Recycling Expo was held in Brussels on June 4–5, 2025, and marked a major milestone for the industry by uniting key players to foster discussion, innovation, and collaboration in textile sustainability.
With 126 exhibitors and 3,336 visitors from 67 countries, the expo became the largest dedicated event for textile recycling. Notably, 12% of the attendees came from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The diverse audience included representatives across the textile value chain—from waste management firms and recycling innovators to textile producers and global retail brands. Sustainability experts from prominent companies like Aldi, Burberry, Chanel, Decathlon, Diesel, Gucci, H&M, Hermes, Ikea, M&S, Nike, Oxfam, Patagonia, Primark, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, Uniqlo, and Zara were present.
The event emphasized the urgency of working together to advance recycling technologies, enhance sustainability, and establish a circular textile economy. Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director for Circular Economy at the European Commission, opened the event and highlighted the energy and innovative technologies showcased. The event’s vibrant atmosphere was widely praised on LinkedIn, with attendees calling it “a breakthrough week for circular fashion.”
Zied Chetoui, the Event Manager, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming turnout and noted that the expo laid a robust foundation for the future of textile recycling. Live demonstrations by Valvan and NewRetex showcased innovative sorting systems, drawing strong interest from attendees.
The conference theatre remained full throughout the two-day expo, hosting over 50 experts who addressed regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and practical strategies for improving recycling rates.
Major industry organizations including ReHubs, EURATEX, Accelerating Circularity, Fedustria, Denim Deal, EuRIC, and the Textile Recycling Association supported the event. Many joined the Industry Alliance Hub—an interactive zone for discussion and partnership development.
Beyond spotlighting the essential role of recycling in the textile sector, the event sparked fresh collaboration and momentum for a sustainable future.
The next editions of the Textiles Recycling Expo will be held in Charlotte, NC, USA on April 29–30, 2026, and again in Brussels on June 24–25, 2026. Exhibit space for both events is already in high demand.
Explore more:
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USA Edition: https://events.amiplastics.com/textiles-recycling-expo-usa
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Europe Edition: https://events.amiplastics.com/textiles-recycling-expo
