Catalonia, Spain

SOLSTICE is conducting demonstrations in 4 EU cities and regions. These demonstrations serve as living laboratories, allowing us to test and refine our innovative 5R approaches in real-world settings.

SOLSTICE’s textile ecosystem analysis of the area

SOLSTICE partner Circle Economy, in collaboration with the Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition of the Generalitat de Catalunya, conducted a current‐state analysis of the textile ecosystem in Catalonia, with prevailing circular practices.

Catalonia manages large volumes of textiles, collecting 154.9 kt annually. However, only 13,2% of textiles within municipal waste were collected separately while the rest ends up in landfills or incineration. Just 21% of sorted textiles are reused locally. Catalonia’s textile workforce totals
90,800 people, with a balanced distribution across manufacturing, retail, and end-of-life sectors.

Access to circular services is best in coastal areas around Barcelona, where hundreds of service points exist within a 10-minute drive. Inland regions have fewer than 100 service points. Walking access is better distributed but still favours coastal cities.

Consumers in Catalonia prioritise price, with younger demographics more influenced by trends and external pressures, leading to higher consumption and less circular behaviour. Second-hand shopping retail is small, and repair services are not popular. However, older consumers are more receptive to long-lasting clothing, especially from trusted brands.

Improving circular engagement in Catalonia could involve expanding service access inland, creating educational and repair hubs, as well as running campaigns to improve the image of second-hand clothing and promoting lesser-known circular options like renting and swapping.

Examine the full analysis on Catalonia

Catalonia, with its broad and diverse textile production, focuses on reuse and recycling.

It has evolved from traditional textiles like wool and linen to more niche markets, including technical textiles and fashion.

Discover the textile sector in Catalonia

Catalonia’s textile manufacturing sector employs nearly 32 000 people, with a majority working in small and medium-sized enterprises. Catalonia’s textile waste management infrastructure is particularly robust, with 15 authorised textile waste management facilities. Remarkably, there is a growing number of sustainable clothing brands.

This diversity in textile production and processing gives Catalonia a comprehensive advantage in supporting circular initiatives.