The European Union has launched the ALADIN (Advanced LocAl and Digital Innovation Network for Circular Garments) project to accelerate circular textile production through digital innovation, regional manufacturing and sustainable materials.
The four-year initiative officially began in May 2026 under the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Coordinated by the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), the project brings together 10 partners from six European countries and has received €5 million in EU funding.
At the centre of the ALADIN project is the development of a network of regional microfactories capable of producing garments closer to consumers. The model is designed to support on-demand manufacturing, reduce material waste, shorten supply chains and strengthen regional textile production.
The project will also create a digital platform connecting businesses across the textile value chain. A Digital Product Passport (DPP) module will be included to support product traceability and transparency, while an AI-powered eco-design assistant will help designers make more sustainable product decisions.
ALADIN’s work will focus on four key areas: digital services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), regional manufacturing collaboration, advanced textile recycling technologies, and renewable and bio-based raw materials.
To demonstrate the project’s approach, the consortium will develop three garments: a semi-automated T-shirt, a smart parka and a blazer dress. The products will incorporate bio-based fibres and recycled textile materials, with designs aimed at supporting easier recycling at the end of their life cycle.
Partners from Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania and Czechia will collaborate over the next four years to advance the circular textile economy in Europe through the combination of digital technologies, local production and material innovation.
