Nordic-Baltic Textile Circularity Forum 2026 to Bring Circular Textile Solutions Together in Riga
Two-day forum on 7–8 October will examine how textile circularity innovations can move from pilots to wider-scale implementation
The Nordic-Baltic Textile Circularity Forum 2026 will take place in Riga on 7–8 October 2026, bringing together European and regional initiatives focused on advancing textile circularity. The two-day event will examine how solutions developed through projects and pilot programmes can contribute to a functioning circular textile system.
European and Nordic-Baltic Initiatives Join Forces
The Forum brings together tExtended, a Horizon Europe-funded project (GA no. 101091575) working towards systemic transformation in textile circularity across the EU, and the Nordic-Baltic Textile Circularity project, a regional collaboration funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Offices in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
The event takes place as the European textile sector continues to address challenges linked to waste and recycling. Globally, less than 1% of textiles are currently recycled back into new textiles, while increasing collection and recycling alone will not be sufficient to address the scale of textile waste.
The Forum will examine the coordinated changes required across the textile system, covering product design, consumption, reuse, collection, sorting, recycling, markets and policy.
Policymakers, Businesses and Researchers to Participate
The event will bring together policymakers, businesses, waste-management and reuse organisations, innovators, researchers, investors and civil society representatives.
Discussions will focus on existing circularity solutions, remaining barriers and the measures needed to bring textile circularity solutions to scale.
On 7 October, tExtended will present key results from its four-year work, including practical solutions and digital tools developed across different parts of the textile value chain.
The programme will also present findings on the systemic changes and conditions required to substantially reduce textile waste in Europe, including pathways towards the project’s ambition of an 80% reduction.
On 8 October, discussions will turn to the Nordic-Baltic region. Topics will include the current state of textile circularity, emerging circular businesses and technologies, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and priorities for stronger regional cooperation.
Pirjo Heikkilä Highlights Need for System-Level Action
Pirjo Heikkilä, Principal Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, outlined the significance of connecting existing solutions and creating conditions for their wider implementation.
“We already have many promising technologies, business models and practical examples for making textiles more circular. The challenge now is connecting them and creating the conditions in which they can work at scale. By bringing European research and innovation together with Nordic-Baltic experience, this Forum gives us an opportunity to look at what has been achieved, where the remaining gaps are, and what needs to happen next.”
Exhibition and Speakers’ Corner to Feature Circular Solutions
Alongside the conference programme, the Forum will host an exhibition featuring practical circular textile solutions. These will include results developed through tExtended as well as innovations from Nordic and Baltic countries.
A dedicated Speakers’ Corner will provide projects, start-ups and other innovators with an opportunity to present technologies, services and circular approaches directly to Forum participants.
Participation in the Nordic-Baltic Textile Circularity Forum 2026 is free of charge, although places are limited and registration is required.
The Forum is organised with the support of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (RITA) and Lindström.