HoliTexCycle - A holistic approach for a product related longevity scheme and multi stage clustering in circular development

The textile and clothing sector is one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally impactful industries worldwide. Rising production volumes and declining product lifespans contribute significantly to waste generation and pollution. Addressing this issue requires a systematic shift toward circular design principles that prioritize durability, reusability, and recyclability. However, the implementation of such principles is hampered by inconsistent terminology and a lack of practical frameworks tailored to the specificities of textile products. In response to this challenge, the research project HoliTexCycle develops a conceptual framework to support product-specific strategies for circular textile design. This poster presents two central outcomes of the early project phase: a longevity scheme and a multi-stage clustering model for clothing and textile products. The longevity scheme offers a structured representation of the diverse factors that influence the lifespan of textile products. It incorporates both technical and emotional dimensions of durability, drawing from interdisciplinary literature and current policy developments. Emotional durability is considered alongside material and functional aspects, acknowledging the role of user-product relationships in prolonging garment use. In parallel, a multi-stage clustering approach is introduced to differentiate textile products by usage intensity, functional requirements, material types, and consumer interaction. This typology lays the groundwork for assigning future design strategies and performance expectations in a targeted, product-group-specific manner. By combining conceptual clarity with application-oriented structuring, HoliTexCycle contributes to the operationalization of circularity principles in textile development. The framework supports a nuanced understanding of product longevity and enables the categorization of diverse product types as a foundation for future regulatory alignment and sustainable innovation.