RESearch centers of Excellence in the Textile sector
European Textile and Clothing is a most relevant economical source for the EU, accounting for 4% of the total added value of the manufacturing sector, with 173.000 companies and a turnover of 165 billion €. Its competitiveness is linked to increased investments in innovation and research - both public and private - which are key drivers for European companies to lead the market in the coming years. Due to its enormous environmental impact, sustainability and environment-friendly production is emerging as a new drivers of textile process, product innovation and technology development. The overall objective of the project is to generate a policy change in the implementation of regional policies and programmes of the Structural Funds related to the strengthening of research, technological development and innovation to assure the sustainability of the T&C sector of the partner regions. It will be achieved through policy learning and capacity building activities on public policies supporting innovative, green and sustainable T&C production and processes.   The learning potential embedded in interregional exchange will result in the uptake of new good practices and projects by the partner regions enabling to support excellence in R&D, to promote investments by enterprises, to develop innovative skills of T&C stakeholders, and in a deeper integration between research and innovation policies for the sector’s sustainability. Sustainability-driven research and innovation will concern primarily the production processes and product development, by: _x000D_
•	improving recycling and reducing waste disposal,_x000D_
• decreasing water consumption and allowing energy saving,_x000D_
•	reducing the environmental impact of the chemical substances used by the sector,_x000D_
•	accompanying the industrial reconversion efforts towards smart sustainable textiles,_x000D_
• promoting the utilization of natural fibers and favoring the use of local or km 0 raw materials,_x000D_
•	fostering eco-creativity and new applications. 