From the Sector

With a new strategic partner, its showroom now open in Sweden, and the successful commissioning of a Dye-Max spray dyeing system for a key H&M supplier in Bangladesh, imogo is looking to make a splash at next week’s ITMA Asia+CITME in Singapore.

Compared to conventional jet dyeing, impressive savings can be achieved with imogo’s Dye-Max, which is based on a series of spray cassettes with precision nozzles for accurate and consistent coverage combined with a patented pro-speed valve that controls the volume to be applied.

“The savings in treatment water the Dye-Max achieves are due to the extremely low liquor ratio of 0.5 litres per kilo of fabric,” explains imogo executive partner and board member Christian Moore. “At the same time, the low liquor ratio and the spray process require considerably less auxiliary chemistry to start with, and all of it is used in the process, which also greatly reduces the production of waste water, with only 20 litres being required for wash at changeovers. The low liquid content in the fabric meanwhile minimises the energy needed for fixation, while meeting industry quality standards and maintaining superior fabric performance.”  

The Dye-Max machine operates without the need for any changes to existing dyeing installations and employs traditional dyes suitable for application at room temperature. 

Blåkläder backing
In addition to ACG Kinna with whom it will share exhibition space in Singapore, imogo now has the support of Swedish workwear specialist Blåkläder.

With fully owned factories in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh, more than 8,000 employees and an annual turnover of SEK 2.7 billion, Blåkläder is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of quality workwear.

Blåkläder already uses dope dyeing, which reduces resource use in the dyeing of synthetic materials such as polyester, while imogo’s technology can also be used for natural fibres such as cotton, linen and viscose.

“Since most of the environmental impact from clothing occurs during manufacturing, it’s vital to develop methods that reduce resource consumption,” says Anders Carlsson, MD of Blåkläder. “Imogo’s groundbreaking technology addresses several of the industry’s toughest sustainability challenges and we naturally want to support that.

“Ninety percent of all the fabric we use comes from only ten carefully selected textile producers and by building long-term, trust-based relationships with them, we are well placed to influence sustainability efforts throughout the value chain.”

New showroom
Imogo’s new showroom and test centre is meanwhile now open and available for demonstrations and trials at the dyehouse of 7H Färgeri in Kinnahult, Sweden

“With this showroom, we are creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration with textile producers, brands and research partners,” says imogo CEO Joacim Wellander. “It enables visitors to see the technology in operation, understand the business impact and explore how innovation can drive transformation in their value chain.”

The facility will also serve as a knowledge hub, supporting technical training, application testing and joint development projects with partners. 

Chorka Textile
In Bangladesh, imogo has successfully installed a Dye-Max system at the plant of Chorka Textile, as part of retail giant H&M’s Green Fashion Initiative to support its key suppliers.

“The installation was handled by our own team and quality results were quickly achieved,” says Christian Moore. “This installation clearly proves that our technology is ready for the global market after years of development and fine-tuning, and working in Bangladesh taught us a lot. We look forward to discussing the opportunities that our technology can provide to mills around the world in Singapore.”

Outlast Technologies präsentiert auf der PERFORMANCE DAYS in München seine neueste Innova-tion: Aersulate® Watte, eine NASA-inspirierte, faserbasierte Hochleistungsisolierung. Das Pro-dukt schaffte es aus mehr als 2.000 eingereichten Materialien unter die Top Ten und wird im In-novation Forum der Messe zu sehen sein. Die Jury überzeugte vor allem die außergewöhnlich hohe thermische Effizienz bei minimalem Volumen.

Herzstück der Technologie ist Aerogel – der durch einen Luftanteil von bis zu 99% leichteste Fest-stoff der Welt. Outlast gelingt es, einen beeindruckend hohen Aerogelvolumenanteil von 50 % direkt in Viskosefasern zu integrieren und schafft so eine Isolierung, die extrem leicht, dünn und gleichzeitig außergewöhnlich leistungsfähig ist.

Bestätigte Performance
Unabhängige Labortests belegen die hervorragenden Isolierwerte von Aersulate® im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Lösungen:

• +35 % höhere RCT-Werte bei Wattierungen
• Bis zu +37 % höhere RCT-Werte in Nadelfilz-Anwendungen
• Gleiche Wärmeleistung bei bis zu 35 % geringerem Volumen 

Leistungsstark selbst unter Druck
Aersulate® Watte überzeugt genau dort, wo herkömmliche Wattierungen an ihre Grenzen stoßen – unter Kompression. Luft ist der beste natürliche Isolator, wird jedoch in klassischen Füllmateri-alien bei Druck, etwa beim Knien oder Sitzen, herausgepresst. Das führt zu einem deutlichen Verlust an Wärmeisolierung.

Dank ihres außergewöhnlich hohen Aerogelvolumenanteils von 50 % speichern Aersulate® Watten die Luft im Inneren der Fasern, was ein Entweichen von Luft verhindert. Das Ergebnis: gleich-bleibend hohe Isolationsleistung, selbst bei Druckbelastung und in feuchten Umgebungen.

Ob in Outdoor- und Skibekleidung oder in technischer Arbeitsbekleidung - Aersulate® sorgt dort zuverlässig für konstante Isolierung, wo andere Materialien versagen.

Nachhaltigkeit neu gedacht
Die Aersulate® Wattierungen verbinden das aus Quarz (Grundstoff für Sand) gewonnene Aerogel mit nachwachsenden, holzbasierten Viskosefasern und bieten damit eine nachhaltige, tierfreie Alternative zu Daunen und herkömmlichen synthetischen Füllmaterialien – ohne Kompromisse bei der Performance einzugehen.

„Mit unserer zum Patent angemeldeten Fasertechnologie definieren die dünnen, extrem leichten Aersulate® Wattierungen die Möglichkeiten und Leistungsfähigkeit textiler Isolierung völlig neu.“, sagt Ari Pachur, Senior Business Development Manager Overseas bei Outlast. „Die Wahl unter die Top Ten aus mehr als 2.000 Einreichungen bei den PERFORMANCE DAYS ist eine fantas-tische Anerkennung für das Potenzial, das in dieser Technologie steckt.“

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) and LEKI Lenhart GmbH have collaborated on a project to develop a hiking pole made largely from renewable raw materials. The finished product demonstrates that sustainable materials can also offer high performance in the outdoor industry.

Consumers are increasingly asking for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional materials. Aluminum and carbon fibers, for example, require a lot of energy to manufacture and are usually difficult to recycle. Therefore, the aim of the research project was to develop sustainable and durable sports poles made of hemp fibers and a bio-based matrix, which are manufactured using the pultrusion process.

The shaft of the hiking pole is made of regionally harvested hemp fibers that have been processed to rovings using a Kemafil-process. This is a wrapping process that gives the fibers a stable, rope-like structure through a special interweaving technique. The matrix used was developed together with the project partner Bio-Composites and More GmbH and is based on epoxidized linseed oil, which can be cured in the same way as a synthetic epoxide resin. The matrix is up to 42 percent organic and is ideal for the energy- and material-efficient pultrusion process. At DITF, approximately 16 meters of tubular profiles were successfully pultruded on a laboratory scale. The manufactured parts have a smooth surface and the natural fibers used are visible.

The suitability of the process for series production was demonstrated by manufacturing under industrial conditions at the industrial partner CG TEC GmbH.

Other components besides of the shaft are also sustainable: the wrist strap is made of a natural fiber fabric and the attachments are made of a bio-based polymer. This means that over 64 percent of the entire hiking pole is made from renewable raw materials.

Initial market analyses indicate very good commercial viability and user satisfaction. While hemp fibers have previously been used mainly in applications with low mechanical requirements, the developed product proves that this natural fiber material is also suitable for resilient structures. The hiking poles manufactured achieve a bending strength comparable to that of aluminum poles and even offer improved damping properties. Thanks to its reduced carbon footprint, the product is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Kornit Digital LTD., a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production technologies, announced today UK-based Snuggle has expanded its investment in the Kornit Atlas MAX PLUS direct-to-garment platform  to meet increasing customer demand and maintain its exceptional time-to-market and its reputation for quality apparel.

Leveraging the Atlas MAX PLUS, Atlas MAX POLY, and a Kornit Titan Smart Textile Dryer, Snuggle can produce more than 24,000 pieces daily – all offering consistent world class print quality. The Peterborough company serves a broad range of online retailers and decorators with an array of print-on-demand services. Growing alongside customer needs, Snuggle has expanded its production space more than 3x since 2017.

“We were the first Atlas MAX customer in the UK when it was unveiled over five years ago, and have always been delighted with its ability to deliver consistent quality and an economical cost per print to ensure profitability in any quantity,” said Akil Thathia, Director and Founder at Snuggle, Ltd. “A key element of our business growth is directly tied to the power of Kornit technology – which is why we have invested so heavily in their advanced direct-to-garment systems over the years. Our partnership with Kornit is strategic to our continued planned growth and success.”

“If you’re looking for a real-world example of how digital textile production is transforming the industry – look no further than our partnership with Snuggle. The company has been at the forefront of high-quality, on-demand fulfillment since it was founded more than a decade ago – and continues to evolve and grow alongside customer requirements to match demands of a market requiring speed, adaptability and quality,” said Guy Yaniv, President of Kornit Digital Europe. “We’re proud Snuggle has chosen Kornit as the foundation of their digital textile production environment. Working together, we’ve enabled them to produce with the agility today’s market requires to rapidly grow their business. Partnership is the foundation to our joint success.”

ALLIED Feather + Down, a global leader in high performance, responsibly sourced, and sustainably processed down, recently secured Okeo-Tex® Standard 100 Certification and bluesign® approval for their ExpeDRY Ultra Dry Down insulation. 

Designed to outperform current chemistry-intensive hydrophobic down treatments and approved for safe use by the textile sustainability authorities at Okeo-Tex and bluesign, ExpeDRY is both cleaner and better performing than standard down treatments in real world situations. It is the result of years of research into how down and moisture interact inside of an insulation chamber. 

After bringing the world’s first hydrophobic down insulation to market, ALLIED learned that these traditional chemistries not only introduce PFAS and other questionable chemistries into the environment, but also lack performance as they tend to slow evaporation and retain moisture inside jackets and sleeping bags. While the down itself stays dry, water droplets can become trapped inside the insulation chamber, slowing dry times and compromising warmth. 

ExpeDRY uses FUZE Technologies’s unique gold micro particles to actively reduce moisture in the entire insulation chamber by slowing the formation of water droplets and speeding evaporation. Gold itself is inert, and with FUZE’s ability to control the size and shape of the particles, there is no concern over nano or cytotoxicity. And due to the minute size of the gold material, the amount needed in a common down jacket equates to roughly two grains of salt. Because of this, ALLIED is able to secure Oeko-Tex standard 100 certification and bluesign approval.

“For decades, there has been a fear of using metals to enhance performance, but this is all based on toxic, outdated, silver, zinc or copper ion release technology,” said Andrew Peterson, CTO of FUZE. “FUZE’s parent company is heavily involved in the biomedical space and its proprietary gold meta material technology aids in targeted pharmaceutical therapeutics and medical device development. By using this pharmaceutical grade material, ExpeDRY addresses all environmental and safety concerns, and we are glad to see the certifications backing this technology.” 

“As material innovation evolves and incorporates new solutions, globally recognized certifications play an increasingly important role in supporting sustainability claims and building trust with product developers and brands,” said Daniel Uretsky, President of ALLIED Feather + Down. “The Okeo-Tex Standard 100 certification and bluesign approval bring credibility to what we already know: ExpeDRY takes down, which is arguably the lowest impact insulation on the market, and elevates it to the highest performing insulation, all with less impact on the material than traditional hydrophobic chemistry.” 

ExpeDRY has been adopted worldwide by ALLIED partner brands and demand has quickly overtaken ALLIED’s own hydrophobic down treatment. Now, brands will have even more reason to adopt it. 

ALLIED will be exhibiting at Performance Days in Munich, Functional Fabric Fair in Portland , and ISPO in Munich. 

Nach BTE-Berechnungen auf Basis der Import- und Exportstatistiken ist im letzten Jahr das Angebot an Bekleidung in Deutschland gegenüber dem Vorjahr leicht gestiegen. So lag die sog. Inlandsverfügbarkeit 2024 bei knapp 4,08 Mrd. Teilen und damit um rund 480 Mio. höher als 2023. Allerdings lag der Wert im Jahr 2022 mit 4,46 Milliarden Bekleidungsartikeln noch einmal deutlich höher. Die geringe inländische Produktion ist bei der Berechnung nicht berücksichtigt. 
 
Rein statistisch entfiel demnach im letzten Jahr auf jeden der aktuell 83,5 Mio. Einwohner Deutschlands ein Angebot von knapp 49 neuen Bekleidungsstücken (inkl. Sport-/Berufsbekleidung, ohne Schuhe, Lederbekleidung). 2022 lag dieser Wert noch bei rund 53 Teilen. Bei Schuhen stieg das Marktangebot 2024 gegenüber dem Vorjahr um 32 Mio. auf 298 Mio. Paar, was ein statisches Inlandsangebot von 3,5 Paar pro Kopf bedeutet. Bei diesen Berechnungen unberücksichtigt bleiben die Käufe ausländischer Touristen (85 Mio. Übernachtungen in 2024) und (Shopping)Grenzgänger sowie die nicht erfassten Direkt-Importe der Endverbraucher über asiatische Plattformen wie Shein und Temu. 
 
Dabei entfiel ein Großteil des Bekleidungsangebots in Deutschland auf Kleinteile wie Strumpfwaren/Strumpfhosen, Wäsche/Dessous, Handschuhe, Schals, Mützen sowie T-Shirts/Unterhemden. Das waren 2024 insgesamt 2,5 Mrd. Bekleidungsstücke, bei 83,5 Mio. Einwohnern also rund 30 Teile pro Person bzw. 61,9 Prozent des Marktangebots. Bekanntlich unterliegen diese Artikel oft einem schnellen Verschleiß und/oder sollten aus hygienischen Gründen regelmäßig gewaschen bzw. erneuert werden.
 
Auf Großteile entfällt dagegen mit 19 Artikeln pro Person und Jahr bzw. 38,1 Prozent nur ein deutlich kleinerer Teil des Bekleidungsangebots. Bei Mänteln, Anoraks und Jacken lag 2024 die Inlandsverfügbarkeit für Damen, Herren und Kindern z.B. bei knapp 132 Mio. Teilen, so dass jeder Einwohner statistisch 1,6 neue Teile kaufen konnte. Bei Pullovern/Strickjacken waren es 333 Mio. Teile (4,0 Teile pro Person) und bei Blusen/Hemden 186 Mio. Teile (2,2 Teile pro Person). Auch bei diesen Artikeln kommt es zu Verschleiß oder - vor allem bei Kinderbekleidung - zu einem regelmäßigen Neukauf aufgrund von Veränderungen der Bekleidungsgröße.

At K show in Düsseldorf, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber, EREMA Group announced a strategic investment in clean technology company BlockTexx®. The Australian pioneer has developed a process that separates polyester and cellulose from blended textiles. By combining both companies’ technologies, the partnership aims to scale post-consumer textile-to-textile recycling to industrial levels.

BlockTexx®‘s process separates polyester and cellulose from post-consumer textiles and clothing, providing the polyester for EREMA’s technology. The INTAREMA® FibrePro:IV system will process the polyester into recycled pellets suitable for new garment production. “Our thermomechanical recycling system is a core element for textile recycling,” said Wolfgang Hermann, Business Development Manager for Fibres & Textiles at EREMA Group. “However, full-scale textile recycling requires a combination of technologies, with BlockTexx® unlocking the solution for processing polyester-blended textiles.“

Industrial-scale expansion
BlockTexx® operates its first plant in Australia with a processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year, with plans for a second plant of 50,000 tonnes per year. Scaling up requires a strong investment partner. “Blended textiles like cotton-polyester account for over 60 per cent of global apparel production but are notoriously difficult to recycle due to fibre incompatibility and chemical contamination”, says Adrian Jones, co-founder of BlockTexx®. EREMA Group’s investment brings not only capital but also deep recycling expertise, proven technology and infrastructure. From the very beginning, it felt like a true partnership, Jones notes: “Both companies share the same intellectual curiosity and EREMA Group was committed to this journey from day one.” 

Textile industry faces recycling challenges
According to global non-profit Textile Exchange 75 million tonnes of synthetic fibres were produced in 2023, with polyester being the most common, accounting for 57 per cent of total fibre production. Recycling rates for polyester are estimated at only 1 per cent. “Currently, nearly all the recycled polyester in the clothing you see in retail stores is derived from PET plastic bottles” says Graham Ross, co-founder of BlockTexx®. As per Textile Exchange, recycled fibres constituted 7.7 per cent of the global fibre market in 2023, with 7 per cent being recycled polyester from waste PET bottles. Hackl emphasizes: “The goal must be to ensure that rPET from bottles is returned to new bottles. This investment is not only positive for the textile industry, but also for the plastics industry. By keeping rPET in the bottle-to-bottle loop, we can stabilize supply and prices for the market.”

With the EU recently adopting binding legislation that will make textile producers responsible for the collection, sorting and recycling of textile waste through mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, the sector is set for change. As these rules come into force over the coming years, the demand for post-consumer textile recycling solutions is expected to grow significantly. “The EU legislation could fundamentally transform the sector. While most textile production takes place in Asia, Europe is a major consumer of fashion. This legislation will therefore have a significant global impact”, Ross notes.

Setting new standards for circularity
By combining mechanical processing, chemical separation, and fibre regeneration, the partnership establishes a model that sets new industrial standards for circularity. “Twenty-five years ago, people could not imagine bottle-to-bottle recycling. Today it is standard. I believe the same will happen for textile-to-textile recycling”, says Hackl. “The textile industry has been slow to recognize the importance of recycling, often citing difficulties as an excuse. Now there are no more excuses. Textile-to-textile recycling will become a reality at industrial-scale through the collaboration between EREMA and BlockTexx®,” adds Jones.

Through the strategic collaboration the EREMA Group emphasizes its commitment to returning polyester to the apparel production cycle and scaling up textile-to-textile recycling. “The PET fibre industry is three times the size of the PET bottle industry. We have been investing in the research and development of textile and fibre recycling for several years. With the technology we already provide for PET fibre recycling, our next step is to aim for full-scale industrial textile recycling. We consider BlockTexx® a key partner in this. Their technology paves the way for used textiles to re-enter the production cycle,” said Manfred Hackl, CEO of EREMA Group.

RE&UP is diving into Textile Exchange Conference 2025, joining a global community of innovators, brands, and changemakers. This year’s conference theme is Shifting Landscapes: Connecting Environmental Adaptation and Systems Transformation, which explores how the fashion industry can adapt, innovate, and accelerate the shift toward circularity. 

RE&UP is a circulartech company reshaping the traditional textile-to-textile paradigm. By producing Next-Gen Cotton and Next-Gen Polyester that maintain the same performance as virgin fibers, it brings sustainable solutions to life, addressing the planet's most pressing challenges. Enriched by SANKO’s centenary knowledge in textile innovation, RE&UP creates a circular ecosystem that transforms end-of-life textile waste into high-quality raw materials at scale.

On Day 1 of the event, Ebru Ozkucuk Guler, RE&UP’s Chief Sustainability Officer, joined the panel “Toward Impactful Textile-to-Textile Recycling Systems”, alongside Suhas Khandagale (H&M) and Cyndi Rhoades (Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems). The interactive session examined the current and future scale of feedstocks for textile-to-textile recycling, discussed legislation, sorting challenges, and explored practical solutions to accelerate circularity. 

“If we truly want to create a solution, brands must stay committed, stepping back is no longer an option,” said Ebru Ozkucuk Guler, RE&UP. “We were thrilled to share insights and explore actionable solutions with partners committed to circularity.” 

Beyond the panel, RE&UP is showcasing its pioneering circular solutions and engaging with brands and suppliers to translate sustainability commitments into measurable impact. By connecting practical solutions with policy insights and on-the-ground innovation, RE&UP is helping the industry move from theory to action, proving that circularity is not just a goal, but a tangible path forward. 

With the fashion industry facing increasing pressure to reduce waste and embrace regenerative practices, events like Textile Exchange are critical for building collaboration, sharing knowledge, and inspiring systemic change.

Jeanologia, a global leader in sustainable technologies for the textile industry, returns to Kingpins Amsterdam with its new collection “Mediterranean Soul”, blending nature, creativity, and technology to prove that authentic denim can be designed and produced with efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

The collection draws inspiration from the power of the Mediterranean Sea and the essence of Valencia, Jeanologia’s hometown. Following the devastating floods that hit the city in October 2024, the collection is a tribute to resilience, nature, and Mediterranean creativity, reinterpreted in the world’s most universal fabric: denim.

"Mediterranean Soul is a story of resilience and creativity brought to life through denim," says Carme Santacruz, Creative Director at Jeanologia. The collection captures the Mediterranean beauty and vibrancy in every garment: the deep blues of the sea, the golden texture of sand, sunlight reflecting on facades, and the lively energy of urban and natural landscapes. More than fashion, it is a manifesto— environmentally conscious design that is at once authentic, innovative, and sustainable. "Mediterranean Soul is a journey that connects our roots with our global mission to detoxify and dehydrate the fashion industry, without sacrificing creativity or efficiency," adds Santacruz.

Laser + G2 Ozone: bringing Mediterranean landscapes to life through denim
To capture this Mediterranean spirit, Jeanologia combines two most powerful technologies:

• Laser, which brings landscapes and natural textures to life with hyper-realistic, unique designs. It has transformed the way jeans are designed and produced, eliminating any hand tough and offering infinite creative possibilities. Today it allows reproducing vintage effects, 3D textures, breaks, or vector designs with precision, speed, and consistency, digitalizing the entire design process and ensuring creativity, quality, and efficiency.
• G2 Ozone Indra, whose ATMOS process creates abrasion and a wide variety of washes, from deep indigo blues to light tones, as well as blacks and greys. This “air washer” replaces traditional washing methods with ozone and precise humidity control, achieving authentic washes without water, chemicals, or pumice stones, and reducing both environmental impact and costs.

Together, Laser + G2 Ozone give designers total freedom to create authentic finishes with greater contrast, brightness, and naturalness, achieving true sustainability at the best cost.

‘Digital to real’, from virtual design to real garment
At Kingpins, Jeanologia also presents ‘Digital to Real’, a space where visitors can experience how digitalization accelerates the design-to-production process. With eDesigner, brands can develop and visualize denim finishes in a fully digital environment, reducing up to 80 percent of physical samples, cutting emissions, and connecting creativity directly with production.

‘Made in España’: creativity, innovation, and sustainability
At Kingpins, Jeanologia takes part in ‘Made in España’, a space that celebrates the strength and creativity of the Spanish textile industry.

Together with Recover, Jeanologia showcases circular, responsible, and creative denim, highlighting new ways to enhance sustainability and close the loop in denim production.
Alongside Textil Santanderina and Pinter, the company will inspire visitors with a collection that blends art and fashion, a reflection of Spanish innovation, craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity.

Das Bundesumweltministerium hat am 14. Oktober im Rahmen eines Dialogforums unter Beteiligung von Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider den Entwurf des Aktionsprogramms der Nationalen Kreislaufwirtschaft (NKWS) vorgestellt.

Das Programm bündelt priorisierte Maßnahmen aus der Nationalen Kreislaufwirtschaftsstrategie, die bis Ende 2027 umgesetzt werden sollen, und setzt damit einen zentralen Auftrag des Koalitionsvertrages um: kurzfristig realisierbare Schritte zur Schließung von Stoffkreisläufen zu definieren.

Für den bvse-Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung nahm Hauptgeschäftsführer Eric Rehbock am Dialogforum in Berlin teil. Der Verband begrüßt den Entwurf ausdrücklich, sieht jedoch in mehreren Punkten erheblichen Nachbesserungsbedarf.

„Mit dem Aktionsprogramm wird ein wichtiger Impuls gesetzt, um die Kreislaufwirtschaft in Deutschland weiter zu stärken“, betont bvse-Hauptgeschäftsführer Eric Rehbock. „Aber entscheidende Rahmenbedingungen, die Recycling und Ressourcenschutz wirklich voranbringen, fehlen bislang. Wenn wir die Kreislaufwirtschaft erfolgreich ausbauen wollen, müssen jetzt die richtigen Weichen gestellt werden.“

Der bvse fordert insbesondere einen Genehmigungsturbo für Recyclinganlagen, um den dringend benötigten Ausbau von Recyclingkapazitäten zu beschleunigen. Ebenso müsse der Bürokratieabbau für Entsorgungs- und Recyclingunternehmen endlich konsequent umgesetzt werden. „Durch die stärkere Einbeziehung des Entsorgungsfachbetriebs gemäß § 56 Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz kann beispielsweise unnötiger Mehrfachzertifizierung wirksam entgegengewirkt werden, ohne dass Qualitätsstandards leiden“, so Rehbock.

Als besonders kritisch bewertet der bvse die aktuelle Lage im Kunststoffrecycling. „Unsere Branche steht mit dem Rücken zur Wand. Wenn nicht schnell gehandelt wird, gehen wertvolle Recyclingkapazitäten in Deutschland und Europa unwiederbringlich verloren“, warnt Rehbock. Der Verband fordert deshalb eine Änderung des § 21 Verpackungsgesetz zur Förderung des Rezyklateinsatzes sowie wirksame Maßnahmen gegen falsch deklarierte Rezyklatimporte.

Auch die öffentliche Beschaffung müsse stärker als Hebel für die Kreislaufwirtschaft genutzt werden. Der bvse unterstützt daher die geplante Schärfung des § 45 Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz. „Diese Regelung sollte rechtlich verpflichtend und einklagbar ausgestaltet werden, um wirklich Wirkung zu entfalten“, betont Rehbock.
Positiv bewertet der Verband die geplante Novelle der Ersatzbaustoffverordnung und fordert, die Ergebnisse des Planspiels 2.0 möglichst noch im ersten Halbjahr 2026 vollständig umzusetzen.

Ebenso begrüßt der bvse den angekündigten „Runden Tisch Reduzierung Brandrisiko durch Lithium-Batterien“, der eine Forderung der Branche aufgreift. Ergänzend spricht sich der Verband für die schnelle Einführung eines Batteriepfands sowie für ein Verbot oder eine Bepfandung von Einweg-E-Zigaretten aus.

Darüber hinaus mahnt der bvse eine gezielte Förderung mittelständischer Unternehmen an. „Es reicht nicht, nur Pilot- oder Demonstrationsanlagen zu unterstützen“, erklärt Rehbock. „Wir brauchen endlich Förderprogramme, die dafür sorgen, dass im Labor oder Technikumsmaßstab erprobte Recyclingverfahren auch in die betriebliche Praxis überführt werden können. Ohne finanzielle Unterstützung ist das für viele mittelständische Betriebe schlicht nicht zu stemmen.“

Nur wenn diese zentralen Punkte in das Aktionsprogramm aufgenommen werden, kann es sein Ziel erreichen – nämlich die Kreislaufwirtschaft in Deutschland tatsächlich zu stärken und nachhaltige Investitionen in Recycling und Ressourcenschutz langfristig zu sichern.