Corertex

Corertex honoured in Rome by ICESP: a new national award for the value of textile reuse and recycling

admin — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:28:36 +0000

Corertex honoured in Rome by ICESP: a new national award for the value of textile reuse and recycling

The Consortium recognised among Italy’s best circular economy practices for its strategic contribution to textile resource valorisation

A new national award has confirmed Corertex’s central role in the Italian circular economy landscape. The Textile Reuse and Recycling Consortium was honoured in Rome during the ceremony dedicated to Best Environmental Practices, organised by the Italian Stakeholder Platform for the Circular Economy (ICESP) at Palazzo Valentini, the institutional headquarters of the Metropolitan City of Rome.

The jury’s decision was mainly based on two key elements: the efficient use of natural resources and the reduction of environmental impacts. This recognition highlights the Consortium’s daily work and, more broadly, the expertise developed by the Prato textile district in managing end-of-life textile materials.

According to the award motivations, the Corertex model is capable of recovering up to 90% of textile materials, drastically reducing the need for disposal. This result fits into the wider context of the Prato district, which is able to transform more than 100,000 tonnes of textile materials each year into a true industrial resource through a well-established “urban mine” model. Within this system, reuse plays a primary role because it extends the life of products without requiring new raw materials and without generating avoidable waste.

The ICESP award also highlighted another distinctive feature of the Corertex experience: the value of specialised human expertise. High-quality sorting remains one of the crucial phases of the reuse and recycling chain and requires skilled professionals, deep material knowledge and operational capability developed over time within the district. It is precisely this combination of technical expertise, industrial organisation and environmental sustainability that makes the Prato model relevant not only at national level, but also within the broader European framework.

The award was collected by Consortium President Raffaello De Salvo, who stressed both the symbolic and strategic importance of the recognition. “Receiving awards of this level confirms that the direction taken by the Consortium is the right one,” he said. “This is a recognition of our commitment to sustainability, but it is also something we want to share with the entire Prato district, with its companies, workers and all the skills that make this system possible. Reuse and recycling are not marginal activities: they are one of the pillars of the circular economy and a concrete response to the need to reduce waste, dependence on imports and the consumption of new resources.”

During the national event, Corertex also had the opportunity to present the daily work carried out in the Prato textile district through a video produced by Sdb Comunicazione. The film highlighted the professional expertise found across local companies, showing how textile reuse and recycling are the result of a structured, advanced and highly organised supply chain capable of combining sustainability, skilled employment and industrial innovation.

The award comes at a time when European and national sustainability policies are evolving rapidly around efficient resource use. For this reason, ICESP underlined how best practices now represent a concrete tool for turning strategic guidelines into real, replicable models capable of supporting the circular transition of production and territorial systems. Within this context, the Corertex experience is considered not only effective, but also scalable and replicable on a broader level.

The Consortium’s participation in the Rome ceremony also offered an opportunity to bring several key issues concerning the Prato district back into the national spotlight: the excellence of recycled textiles, the value of Prato’s recycled carded wool, the ongoing path toward IGP certification, and the need for clearer and more structured political responses on environmental and industrial matters.

This latest recognition further strengthens Corertex’s position as an authoritative stakeholder in the transformation of the textile supply chain, confirming the value of a model that combines material recovery, waste reduction, protection of employment and a strategic vision for the future.

Credits:

Economy – Local editions: Prato

L'articolo Corertex honoured in Rome by ICESP: a new national award for the value of textile reuse and recycling proviene da Corertex.

The future of the textile supply chain at the heart of Solids Parma: Corertex among the key players in the international debate

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:36:50 +0000

The future of the textile supply chain at the heart of Solids Parma: Corertex among the key players in the international debate

The future of textile recycling and circular economy was a central topic at the international trade fair Solids Parma, one of Europe’s leading events dedicated to industrial technologies for material handling and processing systems. Among the key participants was the Corertex Consortium, which contributed to the discussion by presenting the experience of the Prato textile district and the Italian reuse and recycling model.

During the event, a panel titled “The future of textile recycling: Re-Think Textile, Re-Cycle Textile, Re-Future”, promoted by rePlanet, brought together experts, companies, and industry stakeholders to discuss technological, industrial, and regulatory perspectives for the sector. The debate highlighted how textile recycling is becoming a new frontier for process industries, where technological innovation, sustainability, and European regulation must converge to create an efficient and competitive system.

Representing the Prato district were Corertex President Raffaello De Salvo and Next Technology Tecnotessile Director Andrea Falchini, presenting the contribution of a territory that has developed advanced expertise in textile end-of-life management over decades.

The discussion reaffirmed how the Italian reuse and recycling supply chain can serve as a reference model at the European level, thanks to its ability to transform waste into new industrial resources. At the same time, the need for a clear regulatory framework emerged, particularly regarding future Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, considered essential to support investment and sector growth.

The Solids Parma debate confirmed the importance of collaboration between companies, research centers, and institutions to address the challenges of ecological transition, emphasizing that textile recycling is no longer only an environmental issue, but a real industrial and strategic opportunity for the future of the European economy.

The participation of the Corertex Consortium is part of a broader path of dialogue with national and international stakeholders, aimed at enhancing the district’s know-how and contributing to the development of an increasingly efficient, sustainable, and competitive circular system.

Credits: Notizie di Prato

L'articolo The future of the textile supply chain at the heart of Solids Parma: Corertex among the key players in the international debate proviene da Corertex.

Textile Circular Economy: The “Prato Model” and the Corertex Challenge

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:31:22 +0000

Textile Circular Economy: The “Prato Model” and the Corertex Challenge

Circular economy is no longer just a trend; it is the backbone of the ecological transition. In this landscape, the Prato textile district stands out as a global leader, transforming a century-old tradition—dating back to the historic “cenciaioli”—into a modern, sustainable innovation model. In this article, we explore the Corertex Consortium’s vision through their latest interview on “The Challenge of the Century.”

Corertex Consortium: The Power of Collaboration

The Corertex Consortium was born from the synergy of entrepreneurs specialized in reuse and recycling with a shared goal: creating a network to navigate the complexities of the modern market.

Historic Heritage: Prato has been practicing circular economy since 1850. Today, the consortium leverages this know-how to maintain an active dialogue with institutional bodies.
Institutional Bridge: Corertex acts as a link between companies and policymakers, providing technical solutions based on a reality that already recovers up to 90% of textile waste.

The Regulatory Horizon: EPR and End of Waste

The textile sector is facing epochal regulatory shifts that require expert guidance:

EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility): A regulation that redefines the responsibilities of those who place garments on the market.
End of Waste: The crucial turning point where a material ceases to be classified as waste and becomes Secondary Raw Material.
Policy Advocacy: The consortium is pushing for tax incentives and concrete measures to stimulate the global demand for recycled materials.

The “Prato Model”: Balancing Social Impact and Material Recovery

The Prato recovery process is a unique ecosystem that blends ecology with social solidarity:

Social Impact: Collaboration with social cooperatives allows for the employment of vulnerable workers, adding human value to the collection of used garments.
Manual Sorting: Technology cannot replace the human eye. Garment selection is an expert, subjective activity that determines whether a piece can be reused or must be recycled.
Efficiency: Through rigorous processing, the district is able to bring order to chaos, standardizing raw materials that are inherently diverse.

The Fast Fashion Threat

Despite the district’s excellence, a new challenge is emerging regarding material quality:

Low Quality Standards: The rise of Fast Fashion and Ultra Fast Fashion is flooding the market with garments that are difficult to recycle or reuse.
Declining Efficiency: Due to the poor quality of new products, total recovery capacity has recently dropped from 97% to 90%.
Conscious Consumption: A true transition requires “buying less and buying better” to reduce the impact of microplastics and hazardous substances.

Building a Zero-Impact Future

The work of the Corertex Consortium and its members proves that reuse is the first, essential step toward true circularity. Gaining official recognition—including the need for a specific ATECO (industry) code—is the next step in validating a sector that sits at the heart of European sustainability.

To watch the full interview:

C LICCA QUI

Credits:

TV Prato

L'articolo Textile Circular Economy: The “Prato Model” and the Corertex Challenge proviene da Corertex.

Customs Duty on Extra-EU Parcels Comes into Force: Corertex Calls for Part of Revenue to Support Textile Reuse and Recycling

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:32:37 +0000

Customs Duty on Extra-EU Parcels Comes into Force: Corertex Calls for Part of Revenue to Support Textile Reuse and Recycling

From the beginning of the year, a €2 customs duty on parcels from countries outside the European Union has come into force. The levy applies to shipments with a declared value of €150 or less and is collected by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency upon final importation.

The measure, introduced within the framework of the national financial law, was originally supported by the Corertex Consortium as a way to curb the unchecked influx of fast and ultra-fast fashion, which bring large volumes of low-quality products into the market.

Now, while acknowledging the deterrent effect of the duty on low-quality imports, Corertex is calling for a portion of the proceeds to be allocated to support the textile reuse and recycling supply chain, a sector currently facing economic and operational challenges.

According to Raffaello De Salvo, president of Corertex and an early proponent of the idea during ministerial roundtables on the textile waste crisis, the duty can serve a dual purpose:
• as a deterrent to discourage purchases of low-quality products;
• as a source of funding for textile recovery activities while the final EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) decree is being implemented.

Although precise national figures on extra-EU parcel imports are not available, Corertex highlights that, at the European level, more than 4.5 billion such parcels are estimated, potentially generating tens of millions of euros in revenue for public coffers.

The Consortium underscores the importance of stimulating demand for recycled fibres, engaging major global brands to promote large-scale adoption of regenerated materials. At the same time, De Salvo draws attention to the need to counteract greenwashing and ensure transparency in environmental information on textile products.

A more favorable fiscal framework and public policies that incentivize the demand for reused and recycled materials are considered essential by Corertex to turn circular economy principles into structured and sustainable practice.

Credits:
Economy – Local editions: Prato

L'articolo Customs Duty on Extra-EU Parcels Comes into Force: Corertex Calls for Part of Revenue to Support Textile Reuse and Recycling proviene da Corertex.

Corertex Consortium Backs Customs Duties on Small Parcels from Asia: “A Useful Measure for the Textile Supply Chain”

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:37:29 +0000

Corertex Consortium Backs Customs Duties on Small Parcels from Asia: “A Useful Measure for the Textile Supply Chain”

The Corertex Consortium, representing textile reuse and recycling in the Prato district, has voiced strong support for the introduction of customs duties on small packages arriving from Asia. According to President Raffaello De Salvo, this measure could offer real help in supporting the competitiveness of the supply chain in the global arena.

Among the consortium’s motivations: the need to counter the influx of fast-fashion imports, protect local enterprises active in reuse and recycling, and promote a more sustainable and transparent textile market.
“We have always stressed that our sector is committed to valorising textile waste,” said De Salvo. “By implementing a modest tax on extra-EU small shipments, we can create a deterrent effect against low-quality imports and release resources for operators who invest locally.”

Corertex also highlights that a truly circular material economy relies on collection, sorting and local valorisation. Increasing fiscal pressure on hard-to-control imports can favour responsible operators. However, the consortium calls on institutions to accompany the measure with support for reuse, logistics and processing infrastructure in order not to penalise those producing quality and jobs in textile.

Credits:
Economy – Local editions: Prato

L'articolo Corertex Consortium Backs Customs Duties on Small Parcels from Asia: “A Useful Measure for the Textile Supply Chain” proviene da Corertex.

Corertex Takes Centre Stage at Ecomondo 2025: Two Panels on Textile EPR and Circular Resource Management

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:14:10 +0000

Corertex Takes Centre Stage at Ecomondo 2025: Two Panels on Textile EPR and Circular Resource Management

The Prato-based consortium for textile reuse and recycling, Corertex, will play a leading role at Ecomondo 2025 — the flagship event for the circular economy. Corertex will feature in two thematic panels focused on two strategic issues for the sector: the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework in textiles and practical models for genuinely circular resource management.
During the sessions, Corertex’s representatives will showcase the “Prato model” and best practices from the supply chain, providing insights and operational recommendations for the ongoing regulatory phase. Key topics will include textile waste qualification, reuse as an economic driver, infrastructure requirements, and the alignment of common standards across regions and operators.
Corertex emphasises that participating in Ecomondo offers a prime opportunity to present the textile district’s needs to policy-makers, producers, consortia, and trade associations. “It is essential that regulation and technology proceed hand in hand,” states President Raffaello De Salvo. “We must draw on the expertise built in structured territories such as Prato.”

Shared goals include setting realistic reuse and recycling targets, stabilising environmental contributions across the supply chain, training operators, and fostering public-private alliances that deliver logistical efficiency and material quality.
Attendance at Ecomondo 2025 further cements Corertex’s role as a key interlocutor in the textile industry’s ecological transition — not just in regulation but in delivering concrete infrastructure and actions.
Credits:
Economy – Local editions: Prato

L'articolo Corertex Takes Centre Stage at Ecomondo 2025: Two Panels on Textile EPR and Circular Resource Management proviene da Corertex.

Confartigianato and Corertex Join Forces to Launch a New “Reuse” Category

admin — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:48:42 +0000

A Strategic Alliance to Formally Recognize Textile Reuse as an Economic Sector

Confartigianato and the Corertex Consortium have entered into an agreement aimed at establishing a new regulatory category for textile reuse. Through this partnership, they intend to promote reuse as a structured, legally recognized, and regulated economic activity, elevating the textile sector to greater legal and operational clarity.

Why This Collaboration Is Born

Reuse, long core to Corertex’s mission and the Prato district, requires formal recognition to overcome legal ambiguities and bureaucratic hurdles. With its territorial reach and role representing artisan businesses, Confartigianato is the fitting partner to support this evolution.

Key objectives of the pact include:

Establishing reuse as a distinct legal category, separate and normatively legitimized
Facilitating incentives, access to funding, and specific benefits for reuse operators
Ensuring transparency and traceability of the reuse supply chain, distinguishing it from traditional waste activities
Strengthening protection for companies working with used materials, avoiding regulatory overlaps or misclassifications

Words from the Leading Figures

“With this agreement, we aim to transform reuse from a virtuous practice into a formally recognized economic discipline,” says Corertex President Raffaello De Salvo. “Only by doing so can we ensure sector stability, regulatory certainty, and effective collection and valorization activities.”

From the perspective of Confartigianato, the textile artisan sector cannot wait any longer for ambiguous regulations. The association underscores the need for a framework that values local skills and provides certainty to businesses investing in reuse.

A Step Toward a More Circular Economy

This pact marks a tangible move toward a circular economy model that not only embraces recycling but actively promotes reuse. Establishing a recognized category also elevates the economic dignity and sustainability of enterprises working with second-life materials.

The path forward will demand institutional engagement, legislative adjustments, and ongoing advocacy. But Confartigianato and Corertex are ready to lead the way, with the goal of making reuse a permanent pillar of the national textile sector.

To watch the full interview:

C LICCA QUI

Credits:

Economy – Local editions: Prato

L'articolo Confartigianato and Corertex Join Forces to Launch a New “Reuse” Category proviene da Corertex.

Textile Sector: Prato District Submits a Unified Document to Minister Pichetto Fratin – “Support Reuse and Recycling from the Core of the Supply Chain”

admin — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:10:55 +0000

The Minister of the Environment meets with textile industry representatives in Montemurlo. Corertex among the signatories of the joint proposal for the future of the sector.

As part of his institutional tour in Tuscany, Minister of Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin met with representatives of Prato’s textile district at Comistra Srl in Montemurlo. He was welcomed by Hon. Erica Mazzetti, MP for Forza Italia and lead candidate in the upcoming regional elections, along with key trade and professional associations: Confindustria Toscana Nord, CNA Toscana Centro, Confartigianato Prato, Confartigianato Moda, Palazzo delle Professioni, Cardato Riciclato Pratese, and Corertex.

A Constructive Dialogue on the Future of the Sector

The meeting addressed the main issues concerning the sustainability and competitiveness of the textile industry:

alignment of national policies with European directives,
strengthening of the ecological transition,
environmental safety,
energy costs and raw material supply,
protection of Made in Italy production and the fight against fast fashion and unfair competition.

The associations presented the minister with a joint document summarizing the priorities and proposals of the Prato district. Among the key points: revising End of Waste regulations, ensuring fair implementation of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), and recognizing the value created by those who transform textile waste into reusable resources.

Voices from the District

“We brought together the entire Prato district – the largest in Europe and historically the most committed to recycling,” said Hon. Erica Mazzetti. “The government is working on new regulations, but it is essential to start from the core of the supply chain by supporting reuse and recycling.”

Fabrizio Tesi, president of Astri, emphasized Prato’s strategic importance: “Over 90% of the sector’s exports come from Prato. The textile industry is one of the few sectors where reuse is a well-established practice, with rates exceeding 60%.”

Minister Pichetto Fratin’s Remarks

The minister expressed openness to collaboration and acknowledged the district’s role:

“The challenge is to find a balance among all stakeholders. We are close to a final agreement, pending last adjustments. However, we must maintain a pragmatic approach: while Europe pushes for an ideological EPR model, our market is flooded with low-quality imports. Listening to those who work in the sector every day is crucial.”

At the close of the meeting, Erica Mazzetti reaffirmed the importance of long-term cooperation: “Beyond new regulations, we need infrastructure and facilities that allow the production cycle to be completed locally. Only then can we ensure growth, employment, and true sustainability.”

L'articolo Textile Sector: Prato District Submits a Unified Document to Minister Pichetto Fratin – “Support Reuse and Recycling from the Core of the Supply Chain” proviene da Corertex.

Corertex at the Ministerial Roundtable on the Textile Waste Collection Crisis: Urgent Requests to Add Value to Textile Scrap

admin — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:28:10 +0000

Corertex at the Ministerial Roundtable on the Textile Waste Collection Crisis: Urgent Requests to Add Value to Textile Scrap

Why the Issue Is Becoming Critical

The Corertex Consortium, a leading entity in textile reuse and recycling, has been summoned to the national ministerial roundtable to address the crisis in textile waste collection. The situation has reached a tipping point: though large volumes of used garments are collected, their organized valorization is under severe strain, with consequences for the environment, businesses, employment, and local sustainability.

The District’s Demands

Corertex presented the Ministry with a set of necessary measures to keep the system operational, emphasizing that concrete interventions cannot be delayed:
• A Financial contribution specifically for those who add value to textile waste to cover operational costs—collection, sorting, transport—and to buffer market fluctuations.
• Incentives for material quality, since cleaner, better sorted textiles greatly increase chances for reuse or efficient recycling.
• Clear and stable regulations for the textile supply chain: reducing ambiguity regarding responsibilities, technical requirements, and administrative procedures.
• Support in logistics and infrastructure for treatment facilities, collection centers, and local operators: enhancing the existing network to prevent bottlenecks and reduce collection and disposal times.

Consequences If No Action Is Taken

Corertex warns of real risks should these measures not be implemented:
• Activity cutbacks by operators unable to cover their operational expenses.
• Increased volumes of textile waste that go unvalorized, leading to negative environmental effects.
• Job losses and a system that rewards only those with sufficient resources to rapidly adapt.

Towards a Shared Solution

Corertex seeks not only to be heard but to see its proposals integrated into a national textile management plan. The Consortium calls for a collaborative pact among institutions, businesses, and local communities: only through such partnership can textile collection be efficient, sustainable, and give true value to waste—rather than merely disposing of it.

L'articolo Corertex at the Ministerial Roundtable on the Textile Waste Collection Crisis: Urgent Requests to Add Value to Textile Scrap proviene da Corertex.

Textile Waste Crisis: Corertex Warns of Strike Risk Without Concrete Solutions from MASE

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:43:41 +0000

Textile Waste Crisis: Corertex Warns of Strike Risk Without Concrete Solutions from MASE

The Corertex Consortium has issued a pressing warning regarding the severe challenges facing the textile reuse and recycling sector. In the absence of concrete action from the Ministry of the Environment (MASE), the possibility of unrest and strikes is becoming increasingly likely.

A Supply Chain at Breaking Point

Raffaello De Salvo, President of Corertex, describes a situation teetering on collapse. Operators in the sector are seeing their margins evaporate due to stagnant prices and the absence of structured support. In response, the consortium took part in a ministerial meeting, proposing urgent actions necessary to safeguard the textile reuse chain.

Economic and Regulatory Strains

The crisis stems not only from falling demand but also from regulatory obstacles:
• Post-consumer textiles that cannot be optimally shredded due to stricter ISO and REACH compliance;
• An increase in volume but decline in quality of collected garments, driven by fast fashion, which renders materials less reusable and more difficult to recycle.

Risk Cascades Through the Entire Supply Chain

Prato’s textile model—long held as a benchmark of circular economy—is at risk of collapsing without urgent support. For Corertex, a strike is not a remote threat but a clear signal of mounting distress. If no swift intervention comes, collection processes may come to a halt, resulting in environmental and economic costs for municipalities and citizens alike.

Corertex’s Roadmap for Action

Corertex puts forward a set of immediate measures to avert collapse:
• Temporary financial support and tax relief (zero VAT on second-hand items and secondary raw materials);
• Penalties for fast fashion imports to discourage unsustainable consumption practices;
• Regulatory reform, ensuring EPR and Espr are in place before mandating textile separation rules;
• A resilient legislative framework, to ensure existing infrastructure isn’t dismantled before the new regulations come into force.

L'articolo Textile Waste Crisis: Corertex Warns of Strike Risk Without Concrete Solutions from MASE proviene da Corertex.