Product Responsibility > Building circular systems for PPE
Building circular systems for PPE
Circularity in personal protective equipment (PPE) has received limited attention, even as circular practices become more established in the fashion and textile sectors. Most PPE products follow a linear model, with end-of-life garments often sent to landfills or incinerated. We are working with partners across the value chain to address this challenge and develop more sustainable solutions for technical protective apparel.
Since 2021, we have focused on creating a closed-loop system for PPE. By aligning efforts across the supply chain, we are establishing a reverse logistics process where end-of-life garments are returned, cleaned, sorted, deconstructed, and recycled.
Recycled fibers are blended with virgin Teijinconex® and Twaron® fibers to produce new materials that meet the technical and regulatory requirements of the PPE industry. Following ongoing testing and product development, we expect to present the first proof-of-concept blend to selected partners in early 2026.
This work supports the broader transition to circular business models in sectors where adoption has traditionally been slower, helping to reduce waste and extend material use without compromising safety or performance.
Product Responsibility > Enabling transparency through Digital Product Passports
Enabling transparency through Digital Product Passports
We have taken the first steps in integrating Digital Product Passport (DPP) technology into our materials in preparation for upcoming European sustainability regulations. These passports support traceability across the value chain by documenting material origin and use, helping to substantiate sustainability claims. DPPs also contribute to long-term efforts to improve circularity and accountability in the production of high-performance materials.
This initiative is aligned with the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into effect in July 2024 and will require phased implementation of DPPs in the coming years.
We are using traceability technology developed by Circularise, a Netherlands-based company in which we invested in 2024. The system enables verified product data to be tracked throughout production while maintaining confidentiality, supporting both regulatory compliance and our broader transparency goals.
Demonstrating circular material use at JEC World 2025
At JEC World 2025, we presented a proof-of-concept application demonstrating how DPP technology can enhance traceability and support circular practices. We showed how the Digital Product Passport can transparently trace the origin of the material used to produce the aramid pulp. The DPP maps the potential pathway of the aramid fibers from their source to the customer, Hampidjan, producer of the Terra® Sling. It also makes it possible to trace the recycled pulp back through its full material history.
