RegioGreenTex — Recycled FR yarns for public transport seating
A European Green Deal project strengthening textile circularity across Europe's regions — co-funded by the European Union
In the framework of the European Green Deal, RegioGreenTex is a project promoting collaboration in research and development for the textile industry between the four major sectors of society — industry, government, research institutes, and the public — to establish a systematic circular economy business model across the EU.
The project brings together 43 partners from 11 regions across 8 European countries, led by Euratex, building a dynamic textile recycling ecosystem and supporting SME pilot projects that accelerate the use of new recycled-content technical materials. Hilaturas Arnau participates alongside the most sustainable textile companies in Europe.
Project objectives
Map needs: identify circular economy potential across European regions and clusters.
Build ecosystem: create a dynamic recycling textile ecosystem connecting supply and demand across Europe.
Support SMEs: accelerate pilot projects using new recycled-content technical materials.
Create hubs: establish five regional textile recycling hubs aligned with the EU ReHubs initiative.
Generate investment: create regional investment opportunities beyond the project lifetime.
Partner regions
Flanders (BE) · East Netherlands (NL) · Hauts-de-France & Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (FR) · Piedmont & Tuscany (IT) · Norte Portugal (PT) · North East Romania (RO) · Catalunya & Valencia (ES) · Västra Götaland (SE)
Hilaturas Arnau's role: circular economy for technical textile waste
Within RegioGreenTex, Hilaturas Arnau developed a flame retardant yarn based on recycled para-aramid for use in seating for public transport and public spaces such as cinemas. The pilot focused on recovering and optimising recycled para-aramid fibers — addressing two key technical challenges that arise when working with recycled versus virgin fiber:
Tensile strength: recycled para-aramid has different mechanical properties from virgin fiber. The yarn composition and spinning process had to be optimised to recover as much tensile strength as possible.
Colour: para-aramid has a characteristic yellow colour that can be visible through the exterior upholstery fabric. The blend had to achieve the required colour without compromising flame resistance or mechanical properties.
To meet both challenges, Hilaturas Arnau developed different yarn compositions combining recycled para-aramid with other technical fibers including Vectran, Nexylon, and meta-aramid, as well as applying mechanical treatments such as twisting to optimise the final yarn structure.
A critical requirement throughout was maintaining flame resistance — preliminary tests with UHMWPE showed good mechanical properties but failed fire resistance standards due to UHMWPE's flammability. The final recycled yarn composition achieves fire resistance, improved mechanical properties, cut resistance, and the required colour — meeting the technical standards for public transport upholstery.
The broader objective: produce technical yarns from shredded waste recovered from disused bulletproof vests, garments, and fabric remains — with properties as close as possible to first-choice virgin materials.
Why this matters
This project demonstrates that circular economy textile production can meet the demanding technical and safety requirements of the public transport sector — proving that sustainability and high performance can coexist in real industrial applications using recycled high-performance fibers.
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If you would like advice or additional information about our participation in RegioGreenTex or our recycled FR yarn capabilities, please contact us.
