RETEXCAT and Textile Circularity

After almost two years of work, the RETEXCAT project has come to an end with results that pave the way towards a more circular, collaborative and sustainable textile industry in Catalonia.

The initiative, framed within the Pacte per la Moda Circular, has connected companies and organisations across the entire value chain, from waste collection and sorting to design, spinning and garment making, with a shared goal: to promote the use of post-consumer recycled fibres in commercial textile products and to encourage eco-design among Catalan brands.

At Hilaturas Jesús Rubio, we have actively participated in this project alongside brands such as Mango, Simorra, Sita Murt, System Action and Yerse, with the support of the Catalan Fashion Cluster (MODACC).

Our work has focused on the development of post-consumer recycled yarns and on the validation of local recycling processes, working closely with Coleo, responsible for the jumper design, and with Triturats la Canya, in charge of material shredding.

A project that proves the viability of textile recycling

One of the main achievements of RETEXCAT has been to demonstrate that post-consumer textile recycling is technically and industrially viable, both for cotton and wool fibres.

During the project, recycled yarns and fabrics were developed and tested, with technical and aesthetic properties comparable to those of virgin materials.

As a tangible result, Mango Kids has launched a collection featuring recycled fabrics, confirming the industrial viability of the process, and a baby knitwear collection made with post-consumer recycled yarns has also been produced.

In addition, several Catalan brands received training in eco-design and circularity, enabling them to apply sustainable criteria from the product conception stage.

Innovation through proximity

At Hilaturas Jesús Rubio, we believe that innovation does not depend solely on large infrastructures, but on collaboration and shared knowledge.

RETEXCAT has been an opportunity to demonstrate that local production and cooperation between companies are key to building a more resilient and environmentally responsible textile value chain.

Working with nearby partners such as Coleo and Triturats la Canya has allowed us to strengthen a production model in which each stage of the process takes place within Catalan territory, ensuring traceability, reduced emissions and the preservation of textile craftsmanship.

Continuing to weave change

The project’s closing event, held on 11 November at Mango’s facilities in Palau-solità i Plegamans, brought together all participants to share conclusions and next steps.

The message was clear: “RETEXCAT has shown that post-consumer textile recycling is a technical and industrial reality. Now it is time to build the bridge that will allow us to move from pilot projects to a truly circular textile economy in Catalonia.”

At Hilaturas Jesús Rubio, we fully share this vision.

For more than half a century, we have shown that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. We will continue to promote projects that give materials a second life and offer a new perspective to the sector.

Because we believe that change is not achieved through ideas alone, but through yarns that connect companies, people and purpose.