The project aims to explore ways to utilize hop plant residues—leaves and stems—that remain after the crop is grown and processed and are typically not put to further use. Researchers will assess whether this waste can be processed into textile fibers or natural dyes, according to FashionNetwork.
As part of the project, scientists will identify compounds suitable for use in the textile industry, create experimental material samples, and compare their performance characteristics and environmental footprint with those of traditional textile raw materials. The project partner will be the Spanish company Cosecha de Galicia, part of Corporación Hijos de Rivera, which will supply the raw materials and participate in testing the new developments.
For Inditex, the project is part of a strategy to transition to a circular production model and seek alternatives to traditional fibers. The company is consistently investing in the development of next-generation materials and recycling technologies, aiming to reduce its dependence on virgin raw materials, increase the use of recycled resources, and minimize waste at all stages of clothing production.
The MIT-Spain Inditex Circularity Seed Fund program has been in operation since 2017 and supports joint research between MIT and Spanish universities in the field of sustainable manufacturing. If the development proves commercially viable, hop waste could become a new source of raw materials for the textile industry, and agricultural waste could gain additional economic value instead of being disposed of.
Follow our updates
