What are the latest developments?

What are the latest developments? We’ve picked out some highlights for May 2026:

Textiles: study highlights need for scale-up in recycling
Textiles: use of nanotechnology in the textile sector
Plastics: industry organisations outline priorities at relaunch of Circular Plastics Alliance

Textiles: study highlights need for scale-up in recycling

A new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and ReHubs underlines the scale-up required to establish textile-to-textile recycling in Europe based on a 2025 baseline. In that year, Europe generated an estimated 15.2 million tonnes of textile waste, including 13.3 million tonnes of post-consumer waste.

Of this, only around 1.5 million tonnes were collected and sorted, while less than 1% was recycled into new textiles. The study identifies limited collection and sorting as key constraints. Collection rates are estimated at around 33%, with approximately 36% of collected volumes sorted into recycling-oriented streams

To reach a first meaningful scale, textile-to-textile recycling would need to increase to around 15% of post-consumer waste by 2035, corresponding to approximately 2.7 million tonnes of recycled fibres. This would require increases in collection rates to around 50% and sorting rates to around 63%. The study estimates that achieving this scale would require €8-11 billion in capital expenditure and €5–6.5 billion in annual operating costs by 2035.

According to the study, bridging the economic gap requires enabling mechanisms such as standards, EPR design, eco-contribution fees and public or private financing tools. It also states that textile-to-textile recycled fibres are associated with structurally higher processing costs and are not cost-competitive with existing recycling routes.

Textiles: use of nanotechnology in the textile sector

The European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials has published a new interactive infographic illustrating the use of nanotechnology in the textile sector, including – examples of common products that may contain nanomaterials and the properties they provide.

Many fabrics on the market today may contain nanomaterials to improve their durability and performance, for example, by making them water‑repellent, stain‑resistant, wrinkle‑free, antistatic or antibacterial. Some nanomaterials can also help textiles block UV radiation or neutralise odours.

As nanotechnology advances, these properties may go beyond comfort and durability to enabling smart features through integrated sensors that can respond to changes in their environment.

Despite these benefits, there are significant concerns about the potential release of nanomaterials throughout the life cycle of a textile product – including during washing, wear and disposal.

The infographic is based on a 2025 Report on Nano-Enabled Textiles which contains extensive scientific and regulatory information on this subject.

Learn more in a case study published by H2 Compliance.

Plastics: industry organisations outline priorities at relaunch of Circular Plastics Alliance

Industry organisations have outlined key priorities at the relaunch of the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), calling for urgent action to accelerate plastics circularity in Europe. European Plastics Converters, Plastics Recyclers Europe and Plastics Europe emphasised that renewed political focus should be accompanied by concrete measures, highlighting the link between circular plastics, competitiveness and resilience.

Key priorities include restoring a level playing field, in particular through stronger support for circular plastics produced in Europe and measures to address high energy costs affecting the competitiveness of recycled materials. The organisations also point to the need to strengthen enforcement and ensure consistent implementation of existing EU legislation.

Further priorities include unlocking investment and innovation by addressing regulatory and financial barriers, as well as strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.