Project Conglomerate

In cooperation with De Waag and the european research project Reflow, I tried to find approaches towards a more circular textile industry.

‚Painter‘s carpet‘ is a fabric consisting of shredded textile fibers that serves no other purpose than being locked away as insulation or being used one last time as a cover during renovations, before it is considered unusable garbage and is thrown away. Thereby it is leaving the textile recyling cycle and lost for good.

Conglomerate is exploring the possibilities of elevating this fabric and finding new applications for it. By finding aesthetical and functional qualities in this medium, new markets can be opened up which is ultimately helping the recycling facility which is producing this fabric as one of its processes, financially.

If successful, the institutions of the circular economy could be strenghtened and the blanket of shredded fibers would find its way back into the cycle to be reused once again.

I investigated the fabric through screen printing, embroidery and lasercutting. I then used the upgraded fabric in 3 applications related to textiles : a jacket, upholstery and a curtain.