SYMCRAFT: Successful workshops in the textile industry for the SYMCRAFT project
In October 2024, the Institute of Applied Industrial Research (IAGF) was able to make a successful contribution to the further development of the EU project SYMCRAFT - Synergies between Industry and Crafts at two important events. The workshops took place as part of the annual conference of the textile industry on October 8 at Rogner Bad Blumau and at the professional branch meeting of the Federal Guild for Fashion and Clothing Technology on November 6, 2024.
SYMCRAFT: Promoting sustainable cooperation
The SYMCRAFT project aims to create sustainable synergies between industry and the skilled trades. Innovative solutions are being developed to make industrial waste usable as valuable resources for craftspeople and designers. The focus of the project in Austria is on textile waste. The first step is to collect and analyze waste and the potential to develop something new from it. Subsequently, prototypes will be developed and sustainable networks will be established.
Workshop at the annual conference of the textile industry
With its broad audience of around 100 participants, the annual conference of the textile industry provided an ideal platform to present the SYMCRAFT project to a larger specialist audience. DI Heidrun Bichler-Ripfel from the IAGF presented the project together with Christina Leitner and Andreas Selzer from the Textile Center Haslach. The objectives of the project, the opportunities of the circular economy and the planned steps to involve companies in the project work were particularly emphasized.
Professional branch meeting: Practical approaches and discussions
During the professional branch meeting, Ms. DI Bichler-Ripfel introduced the participants to the details of SYMCRAFT. The focus was on the presentation of a questionnaire specifically aimed at recording types of waste in textile companies and identifying their potential for further processing. This interactive discussion made it possible to attract potential participants to the project and gather valuable feedback from the field.
Next steps and invitation to the network meeting on March 14, 2025
A comprehensive SWOT analysis will be carried out from October to November 2024 to assess the situation of textile waste in Austria. At the same time, networks with designers and craftspeople will be established.
A first major network meeting entitled "Trash! Rethinking textile waste." is already planned for March 14, 2025 , where initial ideas will be presented and concrete prototypes will be tested. If you are interested and for more information please register here.
