CILOTEX - CILAB - CILO
September 2017, VIL wants to examine new economic business models that can be developed for the companies involved within the textile sector in general and for the related logistics service providers. The project was named CILOTEX supported by VLAIO. JBC, Nike, Bel&Bo, Malysse, Komosi (now: Herwin) and Eurofrip supported this research initiative.
This project was considered by Vlaanderen Circulair as one of the frontrunner projects.
One of the learnings of this project was the need for new, innovative business models. This is how Cilotex transitioned into the CILAB. It started as a no non-sense laboratory for further research on the ecological and social aspects of organisations operating in the circular economy. Today, Cilab has become an atelier with a main focus on upcycling pre- & post-consumer textile materials and repair activities linked to the design processes.
Cilab continues to share the learnings in the different research projects it is engaged which are listed underneath. CILO will close the circle. CILO, short for “Circular Logistics,” promises to be an eye-catcher at LogiVille. In a new interactive space, visitors will discover the innovations that make the transition to circular supply chains possible, and the economic opportunities this change offers. Because a circular economy is not only essential for a sustainable future, but also extremely challenging. Opening is planned for the end of 2025.
Het Open Circulair Atelier (2024 - 2026)
Mode Ursulinen and Cilab create a studio where students are always welcome, where collaboration takes place around eco-design of clothing. Students will have more time and more resources available. Collaboration will be encouraged between students and those who work at Cilab, people who are or were at a distance from the labor market. This stimulates a mix in the studio between the social orientation of the studio and the creativity of the students. (supported by King Baudouin Foundation /ING Foundation)
In the meantime Mode Ursulinen, IVOC and Cilab are working together on integrating Circularity principles, SDG's and IDG's in the curriculum of the students.
Cirpass 2 (in collaboration with atma.io and Circular Fashion) (more to come): start: May 2024 (ongoing)
CIRPASS-2 will support its 13 lighthouse pilots in validating functioning DPP in real settings and at scale in four value chains: textiles, electrical and electronic equipment, construction products and tyres. Each of these pilots will focus on different B2B activities that promote circularity.
Furthermore, CIRPASS-2 will demonstrate cross-pilot interoperability of the DPP Information System and confirm the feasibility of large-scale DPP issuing, management, and usage across extended circular value chains and product life cycles.
The13 pilots are united in demonstrating the DPP’s potential as an enabler of the circular data economy transition, an essential element of the EU green transition.
Link to the pilot.
Belgium Builds Back Circular: re-LAB: start: March 2024 (ongoing)
This project has a focus on intgrating the eco-design parameters in the different operations of a circular textile value chain.
Partnership between Cilab, RE-Antwerp/GATAM, Joseffa, Decathlon, Purfi/Concordia and Ecoso.
RegioGreenTex (in support of Ecoso) (ongoing)
RegioGreenTex promotes the collaboration in research and development between 43 partners from the four major sectors of society – industry, government, research institutes, and the public – for the textile industry. Partners come from 11 regions in 8 European countries. This project is co-funded by the European Union.
Living Labs (VLAIO): Re-USE in Style/Infinitex (ongoing)
Through multi-stakeholder and multi-level collaborations, the project ensures the development, testing, implementation and scaling up of circular solutions. The partnership consists of at least three partners, of which at least one is a company, and may also include knowledge institutions, governments, non-profit organizations and sector federations.
The project must contribute to the Flemish ambition to evolve towards a circular economy. The Flemish Energy and Climate Plan sets the ambition to reduce the material footprint by 30% by 2030 and to drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Circular Textile Lab (VLAIO) (completed)
The project aims for the local development of scalable sorting, cutting, sewing and repair concepts for the processing of textile waste streams. To this end, concrete circular cases on life extension are being developed in collaboration with all actors of the value chain, such as designers, companies (start-ups, SMEs and large companies), education, government and the social economy.