The Netherlands Presents Leading Circular Textile Innovations to Europe at Techtextil

Europe aims to become fully circular by 2050. The Netherlands is at the forefront of circular textiles and digital innovation, and will therefore present its first national pavilion and programme at Techtextil, taking place 21–24 April in Frankfurt.

The delegation brings together pioneering Dutch textile innovators alongside industry association Modint, Circular Textile Days, and the Circular Textile Action Plan (a programme of CLICKNL).

Mission Theme: NL Circular Textile Solutions, Ready for Europe
Goal: accelerate scaling.

A Strategic Economic Transition

The Dutch textile, clothing, leather and footwear industry (TCLF) represents approximately €24 billion, or about 2.4% of national income. The transition toward a circular and digitally driven sector is therefore not only an environmental necessity, but also a strategic contribution to the Netherlands’ future earning capacity, which policymakers describe as its maatschappelijk verdienvermogen (societal earning capacity).

With several global frontrunners active in the field, significant opportunities arise both through international trade and through scaling Dutch innovations abroad.

For example, scale-up SaXcell has developed fibre-to-fibre recycling technology that turns discarded cotton into new raw material. Lamoral Coatings introduces PFAS-free performance finishes that retain their functionality even after repeated washing. In the field of digitalisation, tex.tracer replaces manual tracking with an automated, data-driven platform that guarantees real-time traceability of garments. These companies will be present at the national pavilion.
The ambition is that visitors leave Techtextil with a clear association: for circular textiles and digital innovation, you go to the Netherlands.

The pavilion is the first visible public-private collaboration positioning the Dutch textile sector in Europe around circularity and digitalisation. Messe Frankfurt expects over 1,500 exhibitors and 37,000 visitors from 100+ countries at Techtextil, the leading international fair for technical textiles, nonwovens and innovation.

The goal is to accelerate the scaling of circular business models and technologies. Although companies face barriers such as regulatory uncertainty around mandatory recycled content, several Dutch entrepreneurs are already successfully commercialising their solutions, showing resilience and market readiness.

From Waste Stream to Resource

Several participants show how circularity is becoming an industrial reality. Vodde turns discarded textiles into high-quality socks and yarns. Designer Eva de Laat developed Materialliance, a digital material-intelligence platform supporting feasible choices in yarns, constructions and supply chain partners. Arly enhances textile performance through lamination, improving waterproofing, insulation, flame resistance and shape retention using recycled and recyclable materials.

Additional participants highlight the breadth of the Dutch ecosystem. EeCoff developed a patented recycled polyester fabric coloured with carbonised coffee grounds. bAwear measures and compares textile production footprints. EE Labels offers woven QR codes scannable throughout a product’s life. Permess produces fabrics from post-consumer recycled materials, and Hollanders Printing Solutions enables precisely measured sampling to reduce overproduction and waste.

Together, these companies aim to position the Netherlands as a European hub for circular textile technology and innovation.

The Opportunity Is Here

Pieter van Kessel, co-founder of Circular Textile Days and owner of De Novo Fabrics:
“It is important to position the Netherlands as an innovative circular textile brand. With a curated pavilion and programme, participants gain visibility while strengthening each other through collaboration.”

Nanette Hogervorst, innovation director at Modint:

“As an industry association, we stand behind entrepreneurs who dare to operate against the linear economy. Together they are ready to scale impact. The opportunities exist, and support from the government through the Circular Textile Action Plan and CreativeNL enables this pavilion.”

Jaap Zandbergen, one of the coordinators of the Actieplan Circulair Textiel:
“At Techtextil you achieve in a few days what normally takes months. It is the European meeting point for the entire value chain, brands, suppliers, machine builders, recyclers and traceability providers, exactly where scaling happens.”

More Information: creativenl.nl/Circular%20Textile%20Days