Rotterdam, Netherlands
Climate Deal Textiles Rotterdam: Working together on a circular textile value chain in the Rotterdam region
Project link
Textile waste quantities
126,000
Post-Consumer Textile Waste (tonnes per annum)
140,000
Imported Waste
185,000
Exported post-consumer textiles
Data methodology
This report was created thanks to the efforts of the participating textile sorters from the region to model a circular textile hub in Rotterdam that would be processing post consumer textile waste as a feedstock for recycling. Based on the detailed information provided, the material flows and the current business case and potential of the textiles value on the second-hand and recycling markets at home or abroad were modelled. All information provided has been aggregated to prevent reduction to individual practices and to paint a picture that is representative of the sorters in the Rotterdam region in general. This research and the resulting conclusions however, mainly point out that there are mutual differences between individual businesses, but the future challenges and solutions can only be tackled jointly.
Notes
While 126,000 toness of textile waste is collected in Netherlands, 92,000 tonnes is sorted in total per year in the Rotterdam region. When modelling a 40,000 tonne fibre sorting facility, the capital investment is estimated at €2 million plus €600,000 start-up cost. Assuming the current average market price of 16ct/kg for downgrades and an output price of at least 18ct/kg meaning a reasonable €2ct/kg valoration (and 12.5% increase), the business would be losing money. Even with an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) subsidy of 3ct/kg and a reasonable CAPEX subsidy of €500,000 in year 1, €333,000 in year 2 and €167,000 in year 3, the return of investment period will be 13 years.