Constructor University: Pioneer in the circular economy 2025!

Constructor University: Pioneer in the circular economy 2025!

On October 10, 2025, Constructor University took a significant step in sustainable digital transformation and circular economy research. The university is taking over project coordination and management of work package 4 (WP4) in the EU Horizon project “SORT4CIRC: Intelligent Textile SORting for enabling CIRCularity”, thereby consolidating its leading position in this area. With a total project budget of approximately €5,097,767, the project is supported by a consortium comprising leading industry members from seven European countries, including Germany, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Slovakia and Spain. Leading universities, research institutions and industrial companies, including ten industrial companies, seven of which are small or medium-sized, bring together their expertise.

The main goal of SORT4CIRC is to improve circularity in the textile sector. Innovative solutions for sorting, recycling and traceability are intended to reduce the negative environmental impact of textile value chains. Around 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste are generated in Europe every year, of which only a small proportion is recycled. Increasing the textile-to-textile recycling rate to 10% could enable significant savings of around 440,000 tonnes of CO₂ and around 8.8 billion cubic meters of water per year. This commitment contributes to achieving the goals of the European Green Deal, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Technological innovations to support the circular economy

As part of WP4, Constructor University will develop blockchain-based Digital Product Passports (DPPs). This integration of new technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), token-based incentive systems and API interoperability is intended to help create transparent and reliable systems for tracking textiles throughout their entire life cycle. The use of digital twins, such as those being developed in the “Blockchain for the Circular Economy” (BlinK) project, plays a central role. These digital images of physical products enable a consistent exchange of information along the entire supply chain.

The relevance of blockchain technology is particularly evident in improving transparency and data security when exchanging information. According to an analysis from the Technical University of Hamburg, which was carried out as part of the BlinK project, insufficient product information is often an obstacle to effective recycling management. A digital image of a product could close this information gap and thus facilitate the transition to a circular economy.

Challenges and strategies for SMEs

The textile value chain is highly fragmented. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face the challenge of mastering the numerous legal and market requirements for a successful transition to a circular economy. The EU Circular Economy Action Plan aims to both reduce the industry's environmental footprint and increase companies' competitiveness. Special support for SMEs is provided through programs such as the Mittelstand Digital Center, which offers support for digital transformation.

Since autumn 2023, 49 companies have already used digital services for self-diagnosis, assessment and training. These platform solutions help SMEs transform their processes and take advantage of new market opportunities. Given current global challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity, it is crucial that companies adapt their strategies and integrate sustainable practices into their business models.

Overall, Constructor University's commitment to the SORT4CIRC project highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and the creation of innovative solutions to support the circular economy in the textile industry. The development and implementation of such technologies is crucial not only for reducing textile waste, but also for promoting a sustainable and resource-efficient future.

For more information on this topic, read articles from Constructor University, Hamburg University of Technology and Industry Science.

You can find more information about the project here: Constructor University, Technical University of Hamburg and Industry Science.