Below an overview per WP of the work performed in HEREWEAR:
'WP1 – Design for bio-based circular textiles' focused on how to design for bio-based local circular textiles. A bio-based sample collection was gathered, bio-TEN design guidelines produced and a series of analogue tools prepared to support design thinking and development. In addition, a software feature for empowering brands and designers in their sustainable transition was made.
'WP2 – Biorefinery' dealt with the biorefinery methods for the production of cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass and seaweeds. Biorefinery methods have been applied to the selected biowaste streams, with promising results when using wheat straw biomass. The biorefinery methods have been adjusted to meet the wet spinning specifications and were subsequently upscaled.
'WP3 – Wet & melt spinning' used cellulose from WP2 and available bio-polyesters to produce yarns. To tailor the properties of the yarns, these were further combined by hybrid yarn processing techniques. Biopolyester and cellulose filaments with good performance (strength, durability, processability, comfort etc) were successfully produced from lab to pilot scale.
'WP4 – Bio-based textile intermediates manufacturing' used the WP3 yarns to produce textile intermediates which were next functionalised via different technologies. Focus was given to the development of woven/knitted fabrics followed by the enzymatic treatment, bio-based printing, coating, dyeing, and finishing of HEREWEAR fabrics.
'WP5 – Demonstration bio-based garment production & validation' took up the results from previous WPs for the creation and validation of prototype garments. A range of garment prototypes was produced using HEREWEAR bio-based materials and applying our HEREWEAR design approaches. These garments have been fully assessed for their performance as well as circularity potential.
'WP6 – Environmental & social assessment' dealt with the life cycle sustainability assessment of the HEREWEAR materials showing the promising positive impact of using bio-based input material. Further, the influence of composition, construction and finishes on the release of microfibres was assessed.
In 'WP7 – Stakeholder community building' the HEREWEAR community has been built and engagement activities took place (e.g. webinars, workshops etc), leading to a motivated HEREWEAR stakeholder community.
'WP8 – Innovation management & Impact' ensured dissemination of HEREWEAR as well as business modelling, IP, exploitation plans and a policy brief. Finally, training material was developed and presented as the HEREWEAR Hub.
Summing up the project in numbers, some of the outcomes:
- We collected and made around 1000 samples, consisting of our material library, biowaste samples, filaments, fabrics, prototypes etc
- Over 70 garment prototypes for corporate fashion and streetwear were produced as small series demonstration
- 8 academic and conference papers
- 40+ resources (tools, guidelines, models) in the HEREWEAR Hub as a legacy for future developments
- A community of 250 members with an active core that will continue to explore and interact, of which 40 mentors to further support the transition.
