What was your responsibility in this project?

As Head of Innovation at Tintex, my role in the project focused on knitting and fabric preparation. It was both exciting and valuable to be involved—especially in a hands-on way—connecting with partners across different stages of the textile value chain. I’ve never participated in a project quite like this; the transparency and collaboration were outstanding. It also had a strong cultural dimension, which added to its uniqueness.

Tintex operates mainly in Portugal, sourcing yarn locally and placing high value on traceability—knowing where fibers come from and who is behind them. That information adds a real sense of worth to our products.

In the Circular Garment initiative, we faced some challenges, such as lost yarns in the shipment between France and Portugal, but we adapted quickly. The project gave us room to experiment, testing different knitting structures like rib and interlock, while studying various production setups. The flexible timeline enabled us to approach the work with depth rather than pressure.

While broad adoption is still limited, the initiative has meaningful environmental impact and offers a blueprint for reducing reliance on complex global supply chains. The learning cycle and open dialogue, especially with partners like Soraya, offered fresh perspectives and pushed us to think differently.

What is your vision for circular textiles in Europe?

I believe nearshoring is key. Demonstrating that a complete value chain is possible within Europe could significantly impact the European economy. Transparency is also becoming more common, and that’s promising. We're starting to focus more on biobased materials and reusing what’s already in circulation—recycling water, improving fabric handfeel, and refining color with processes like biopolishing, which we’re now applying beyond lyocell.

What would make these circular practices easier for you to adopt?

Legislation shouldn’t be punitive—it should reward sustainable, low-impact production. Consumer education is essential. Labels must be truthful and clear. Initiatives like the Digital Product Passport (DPP) are promising, but they must be implemented fairly. Although Portugal has a strong textile sector, it still imports large quantities of garments. Economic viability is crucial for innovation to take hold. Communication campaigns—like those involving influencers, podcasts, and education—can drive awareness. While some promising efforts exist, broader government support is still lacking.

What advice would you give to other entities that want to replicate the value circle?

Just start. There are too many debates and too little action. Companies need to invest in human resources and talent to adapt. Allow time and space for ongoing collaboration. Keep the end goal—the final garment—in mind throughout.

What was your drive to be a part of this initiative?

At Tintex, we saw this as a chance to innovate and apply novel processes. Commercially, we produce 10-15 fabrics that are bestsellers, but innovation gives us the opportunity to show our full potential. Collaborating with research centers and companies is key—we need more practical examples. This initiative brought together diverse partners from across Europe, proving that partnership leads to greater and faster impact. It was easier to collaborate because we already knew and trusted each other.

Looking back, how did it go for you?

The journey was challenging but rewarding. We faced and overcame many obstacles, which showed our resilience. It wasn’t perfect, but it was realistic and feasible. We learned to give more attention to machinery and details. In the end, we proved that structured collaboration can drive real progress.