Over recent decades, Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) has shown how textile reinforcements can improve the performance of concrete and other cement-based materials. From that starting point, the construction industry is now exploring ways to repurpose waste from the textile sector, where millions of tonnes of used clothing and discarded fabric are destined for landfill every year.
Some real-world examples already exist. Henry Company produces UltraTouch, an insulation material made from recycled denim fibres. Métisse, developed by Le Relais, transforms cotton recovered from second-hand clothing into insulating panels. Meanwhile, Solid Textile Board, created by Really, compresses textile waste into rigid boards used in interior design and furniture.
Research is also advancing into cement-based mixes incorporating recycled cotton, polyester and nylon fibres to help control microcracking and improve certain mechanical properties, potentially creating tougher and more resilient materials.
Although the underlying technology is not entirely new, its momentum has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the rise of the circular economy and increasing pressure to reduce industrial waste. Widespread adoption remains limited and depends heavily on the intended application, where strength, stability and long-term durability are still essential. Even so, this is becoming an increasingly promising area of innovation: transforming textile waste into a valuable construction resource and, perhaps, building more affordably in the process.
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