Project "Mowing forward with circularity in textile and fashion value chains" (TEX-DAN) is an Interreg Danube Region 2021-2027 project that addresses challenges related to circular textile management in the Danube region countries.

The ecological and economic importance of zero textile waste is insufficiently recognized in the Danube region, while business practices and models lag behind leading European and global examples (Netherlands, Denmark, Australia). Most consumers are unaware that the textile industry is among the biggest polluters of the environment, especially water, and that the main culprits are the increasing fast fashion trend and inadequate design and production technology, which slow down the transition from linear to circular textile management.

With this in mind, TEX-DAN aims to raise awareness about the importance of circular textile management, analyze the current situation, and propose good practices and new technologies that would bring the Danube region closer to the best EU and global practices.

The project started on January 1, 2024, and will last until June 30, 2026. It brings together 14 partners from all Danube countries (HR, AT, HU, SI, SK, CZ, MD, RO, BG, RS, and BiH), with the South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency from Hungary as the lead partner. The Croatian partner is the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO), while the associated partners are the Textile Technology Faculty of the University of Zagreb and the Croatian Employers' Association.

During the 30-month project duration, three pilot projects will be implemented to highlight new technologies in textile design, production, and recycling that support the circular textile management model. In the final year, a transnational Danube platform will be established, involving all ecosystem stakeholders to exchange best practices, joint initiatives and projects, and to open new markets and job opportunities.

The total project value is EUR 2,716,892.