Takeaways from Textiles Recycling Expo 2026
The textile industry’s shift from ambition to action was evident throughout Textiles Recycling Expo 2026 in Brussels.
Bringing together 5,607 attendees, 162 exhibitors, and 71 speakers, the event highlighted the growing drive towards circular textiles and the collaboration needed to make them a reality.
Among the key topics discussed were textile-to-textile recycling, collection and sorting infrastructure, Digital Product Passports (DPPs), and the expanding role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in supporting textile collection, reuse, and recycling across Europe.
European Recycling Platform (ERP) and Landbell Group were present throughout the event, engaging with stakeholders on EPR implementation, compliance solutions, recycling partnerships, and cross-market collaboration.
One of the event’s highlights was the panel discussion, “Beyond Compliance: Building Long-Term Partnerships for Sustainable Textiles”.
Jürgen Fuchs, Global Key Account Manager at Landbell Group, joined Melanie Hackler (CEO, matterr), Sofie Schop (Executive Director Europe – Global Partnerships, WRAP), and Gail Orton (Sustainability Policy Coordinator, SHEIN) to discuss how organisations can create value beyond regulatory compliance through collaboration and circular business models.
European Recycling Platform was also represented in the session, “Feedstock Activation Europe: Making Post-Consumer Textiles Work for T2T Recycling”.
Tjaco Twigt, Country General Manager at ERP Netherlands, joined representatives from adidas, Boer Group, and Circulose.
As Paul Doertenbach, Head of Landbell Group’s Textile EPR Programme, noted:
“At Landbell Group, we turn the complexity of textile EPR into a coordinated global solution. Our pan-European strategy supports producers across all 27 EU countries, providing the consistency, expertise, and international reach they need to navigate fragmented regulations, grow sustainably, and create lasting impact for end-of-use textiles.”
The key takeaway from Brussels was clear: textile recycling is moving from ambition to action.
As regulations evolve and collaboration strengthens across the value chain, the foundations for a circular textile economy are steadily being put in place.
