The Nordic-Baltic Textile Circularity Forum 2026 will take place in Riga on 7–8 October, bringing together experts from the Nordic and Baltic countries and elsewhere in Europe. Participants will explore how to scale textile circularity innovations and discuss how to turn individual projects into a functioning circular system.
The forum will bring together two important initiatives: the Horizon Europe-funded tExtended project, which works towards systemic change in textile circularity across the European Union, and a Nordic-Baltic project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ offices in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
The event comes at a time when the amount of textile waste continues to grow and solutions to the challenges of textile circularity in Europe are becoming increasingly urgent. Currently, less than 1% of textiles worldwide are recycled into new ones, and collecting and sorting textile waste is no longer enough. More far-reaching and coordinated changes are needed at every stage – from product design and consumer behaviour to reuse, collection, sorting, recycling and market regulation.
“There are a number of promising technologies and many practical examples of how to improve circularity in the textile sector, but the amount of waste clearly shows that the time has come for decisive action. The first step is to move from measures taken in individual countries to targeted action across the wider region – going beyond the borders of one or two countries. This requires the right conditions, a long-term strategy, a vision and, above all, real synergies that work across countries. That is why this forum is so valuable – its main contribution is the new partnerships that emerge when people from the sector meet in person and bring together ideas capable of changing the world.”
– Nina Hvida Enevoldsen,
Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia
The forum will bring together policymakers, businesses, waste management and other sector-related companies, as well as start-ups, researchers, investors and other stakeholders to discuss proven and effective methods and identify barriers and solutions for scaling up circular approaches.
On 7 October, tExtended will present the results of its four years of work, including practical solutions and digital tools that can be applied at different stages of textile circularity.
On 8 October, the focus will shift to the Nordic-Baltic region – the current state of textile circularity and the latest developments in circular business models, technologies and the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems.
Alongside the discussions on stage, the forum will showcase practical textile circularity solutions. A dedicated area will also give start-ups and textile circularity enthusiasts an opportunity to present their ideas, technologies and services, both existing and in development.
The Nordic-Baltic Textile Circularity Forum will take place on 7–8 October in Riga, at the H2O 6 Quarter, Aisteres iela 2.
Participation is free of charge. The event will be held in English.
Programme and registration: www.nbtcf2026.eu
