The University of Leeds has launched a transformative partnership with some of the world’s leading fashion brands to address the significant environmental challenges textile manufacturing poses.
In collaboration with fashion giants such as Burberry, ASOS, Ted Baker, Next, and Marks & Spencer, the university seeks to develop more sustainable practices in textile production, paving the way for a greener future for the fashion industry.
The initiative will prioritise several vital areas, including the use of sustainable materials, waste reduction, and implementing circular economy business models. Circular economy principles encourage the recycling and reuse of materials, reducing waste by designing products that can be part of a continuous life cycle. Through this collaborative approach, the University of Leeds and its industry partners aim to minimise the environmental impact of fashion, which is currently among the most polluting industries globally.
This partnership will leverage the University of Leeds’ extensive research expertise in textile technology, sustainability, and environmental science. Researchers will work directly with fashion companies to develop fabric production and recycling techniques innovations. Projects will include exploring alternative, eco-friendly materials that reduce resource consumption and devising methods to recycle textiles more effectively. Additionally, the research will examine how to shift away from the traditional linear model of fashion production—where products are made, used, and discarded—toward one where materials are continually reused.
Through this project, the University of Leeds and its partners hope to substantially contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life on land. Achieving these goals requires industries worldwide to adopt practices that reduce pollution, conserve resources, and protect biodiversity—all objectives align closely with this new partnership’s mission.
The collaboration between academia and industry seeks to advance sustainable practices and highlights the growing commitment among fashion brands to address environmental issues. With this effort, the University of Leeds and its partners hope to inspire broader changes across the fashion sector, setting a benchmark for how research and industry can unite to tackle pressing global challenges.