There was certainly no shortage of conversation at Textiles Recycling Expo Europe 2026. Held over two days at Brussels Expo, the event brought together manufacturers, recyclers, brands, policymakers and technology providers from across the textile industry to discuss one of its biggest challenges and opportunities: creating a truly circular future.
Representing PCIAW®, CEO and Founder Yvette Ashby attended the exhibition to reconnect with members, meet new innovators and hear first-hand how the conversation around textile circularity is evolving.
Although the event focused on textile recycling, one thing became clear very quickly: this isn’t just about what happens when a garment reaches the end of its life anymore. The real conversation has moved much further upstream, to how products are designed, manufactured, and managed from day one.
Circularity Starts Long Before Recycling
Across the keynote presentations and panel discussions, speakers returned to one common theme: recycling is only one piece of the puzzle.
The industry’s focus is shifting towards designing garments that last longer, can be repaired more easily, reused where possible, and eventually recycled when they’ve reached the end of their useful life.
Supporting that shift is a growing wave of European legislation, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Digital Product Passports, and wider Circular Economy legislation. Together they’re encouraging businesses to think beyond simply making products and instead consider what happens throughout the entire lifecycle of a garment.
Why This Matters for Professional Clothing
For many PCIAW members, a reassuring message ran throughout the conference.
Professional clothing has been embracing many circular principles for years.
Managed laundering, repair services, garment take-back programmes and longer product lifecycles are already part of many workwear and uniform programmes. Rather than starting from scratch, the professional clothing sector has an opportunity to build on practices it already knows well.
The next step is being able to demonstrate those credentials through better traceability, improved product data and greater transparency as new legislation comes into force.
Collaboration Was the Word Everyone Used
If there was one word heard throughout the exhibition halls as much as “recycling”, it was collaboration.
No single organisation can solve the circularity challenge alone.
From fibre manufacturers and garment producers through to recyclers, technology developers, brands and policymakers, everyone has a role to play. Bringing those different parts of the supply chain together was a recurring theme throughout the event and one that strongly reflects PCIAW®’s own mission of connecting the global professional clothing industry.
A Welcome Focus on Workwear and PPE
One of the highlights for PCIAW was seeing uniforms, workwear and PPE given their own place within the conference programme.
Unlike fashion garments, professional clothing has to deliver much more than aesthetics. Safety, durability, compliance and wearer protection remain the priority, making circularity a far more complex challenge.
The dedicated session recognised exactly that, exploring how the industry can continue improving sustainability without compromising the performance that workers rely on every day. It was encouraging to see professional clothing recognised as its own specialist sector within the wider circularity conversation.
Looking Ahead
Leaving Brussels, there was a real sense that the conversation has changed.
The question is no longer whether the textile industry needs to become more circular; it clearly does. The focus is now on how quickly businesses can adapt, collaborate and innovate together.
For the professional clothing industry, that’s an exciting opportunity.
The expertise already exists across the sector. Now it’s about bringing that knowledge together, sharing best practice and continuing to develop solutions that deliver both outstanding performance and improved sustainability.
As always, PCIAW® will continue to keep members connected to the conversations, innovations and partnerships shaping the future of our industry.
Watch the Event Highlights
We’ve also included a short highlights video from Textiles Recycling Expo Europe 2026 below. Alongside scenes from across the exhibition, Yvette Ashby shares her reflections from the event and some of the key conversations taking place, giving members who couldn’t attend a flavour of what made this year’s expo such an important gathering for the textile industry.
