Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) are developing methods to convert textile waste into energy and high-performance cement, offering a potential breakthrough for two of Europe’s most resource-intensive sectors.
The work aligns with the European Union’s shift toward a circular economy model, as the bloc overhauls waste management rules to reduce the environmental burden of textiles and construction.
Billions of tonnes of waste are generated annually in the EU, while only a small share of post-consumer textiles is recycled. Most used clothing ends up in landfills or incinerators, where fibre blends and synthetic additives complicate recycling and increase pollution.
KTU scientists are investigating ways to integrate textile-derived materials into cement and concrete production, reducing the reliance on ordinary Portland cement. “The cement industry, especially clinker firing processes in rotary kilns, contributes significantly to environmental pollution.
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This is why researchers are actively seeking ways to reduce the amount of conventional cement in cement-based mixtures,” said Dr Raimonda Kubiliūtė of KTU’s Faculty of Chemical Technology.
Studies from KTU show that substituting 1.5% of concrete composition with recycled polyester fibre from discarded clothing can boost compressive strength by 15–20% while improving resistance to freeze–thaw cycles. The findings support broader research across the sector to replace clinker and lower CO₂ emissions without compromising durability.
A further advance comes from the thermal treatment of textile waste at 300°C in an inert environment. The process produces carbon-rich granules suitable as an alternative fuel, but it also generates ash. According to KTU, this ash can replace up to 7.5% of conventional cement and increase compressive strength by up to 16% under standard curing conditions.
“This technological solution not only reduces CO₂ emissions during cement production but also provides an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to textile waste management,” Dr Kubiliūtė said. While industrial production of textile-derived fuel remains limited in Lithuania, researchers say its long-term potential is gaining attention.
The work forms part of the “Textifuel” project, carried out jointly by KTU and the Lithuanian Energy Institute, aimed at developing alternative fuels from textile waste for use in energy-intensive industries.
