SPRONG application for 'New Ecosystems in Textile' has been granted!
New Ecosystems in Textile is a research group with researchers of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Troy Nachtigall), Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Jan Mahy), and researchers of the professorships Tactical Design (Jeroen van den Eijnde) and the ArtEZ Fashion Professorship at ArtEZ University of the Arts.
This research group focuses on a systemic approach to developing more sustainable, circular, and regenerative value chains in textile - with a central role for design. The SPRONG group aims to intensify transdisciplinary and systemic research with the following question as a starting point: how can we develop - through co-creation - a textile system that is sustainable, circular and regenerative in a social, ecological and economic sense?
Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA has awarded funding to 14 SPRONG groups.
The research groups receive a subsidy to grow into powerful SPRONG groups in 8 years' time. With SPRONG, SIA stimulates collaboration between research groups from different universities of applied sciences with the potential to develop into a powerful SPRONG group. The SPRONG groups work together with, among others, public institutions, other knowledge institutions and the business community to bundle knowledge and expertise on societal issues.
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The textile sector is one of the biggest polluters worldwide due to its huge water and energy consumption, large-scale CO2 emissions and, above all, a lot of textile waste. In the research group 'New Ecosystems in Textile', ArtEZ, Saxion and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences join forces to accelerate the transition - and conduct research - towards a sustainable textile value chain, with design as the main pivot.
Towards a circular value chain of textiles
As a result of European directives, the textile sector must be fully circular by 2050. To break the spiral of overproduction and consumption of poorly recyclable textile products, NET focuses on a systemic approach to textiles that meets functional and aesthetic requirements for clothing and interiors. Design is central as a pivot in sustainable, circular and regenerative value chains of raw material extraction, production and consumption to (re)use.
Mission and approach
Curious how the NET Research Community is going to approach this exactly? A lot of the how and why is in the name: NET stands for New Ecosystems in Textile, abbreviated NET.
- New Ecosystems: NET will strengthen existing partnerships and seek out new partnerships. There will be cooperation with other colleges, companies, designers, but also with consumers and manufacturers. New ecosystems of knowledge development and innovation will arise and be strengthened.
- NET focuses on textiles as a flexible material of fibers and yarns. With this SPRONG subsidy, researchers can search for new (bio)materials that can replace traditional textiles.
- In addition to new knowledge development and textile research, NET will also look at daily practice. Think of the activities, obstacles, and experiences of designers, consumers, and users of textiles. How do we ensure that we design circular "work"? How much "work" does it take for consumers to be informed and lured into sustainable buying behavior, and how does the user "work" to extend the life cycles of textiles?
Would you like to stay updated on this project and be curious to know how the NET Research Community will proceed? Follow the latest developments on the NET Research Community project page. Here you will find more information and relevant links. This page will also be filled with behind-the-scenes stories in the coming years: https://www.artez.nl/en/new-ecosystems-in-textile-net
More information can also be found on the SIA website: https://regieorgaan-sia.nl/nieuwsoverzicht/14-nieuwe-sprong-groepen-gehonoreerd/
