UPWEARS will build an innovative and replicable value chain from the valorisation of flax, cork, hemp and by-products of the paper industry towards an innovative, bioinspired, e-textile for application in sport industry.
In this context, UPWEARS aims to contribute to structural resource efficiency and a sustainable economy by unlocking the potential of a new generation of biobased and hybrid fabrics for e-textile. UPWEARS e-textile will feature high performance, cost-effective multi-functional fibres and yarns, biomimetic fabrics, imbedded electronics and pollution sensing. UPWEARS development will minimise manufacturing waste thanks to artificial intelligence automation and digital twin, while also reducing chemical usage by incorporating green bleaching processes.
UPWEARS will present and demonstrate in real conditions an integrated solution (innovative e-textile and adapted manufacturing process): a smart, functional, protective, and sustainable cross-country biking suit. The goal is to develop a bioinspired final product with the following specifications: abrasion resistant, waterproof and/or water repellent, stretchable, breathable and tear resistant.
The project is based on a multi-dimensional methodology, which allows addressing design challenges and solutions across multiple scales:
Targets optimal raw material transformation allowing both better intrinsic properties at microscale and upgraded performance within a larger scale.
Focuses on the processes in order to better handle the raw material variability, automate production processes and ensure circularity.
Integrates the two previous dimensions in a demonstrator of sustainable e-textile for technical textile application
This project has received funding from the Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No 101130741. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the Horizon Europe or the HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
