As part of the IMASUS project’s Work Package 2 “Open Educational Knowledge Base” our partners conducted two international surveys and a follow-up analysis to better understand the current needs, gaps, and opportunities in sustainable and innovative textile materials.
The goal was simple: to listen to the people shaping the future of textiles with researchers, educators, designers, entrepreneurs, and creative hubs involved and using their input to guide the development of the IMASUS open knowledge platform.
Who participated
We interviewed two distinct groups of participants: (1) educational institutions, including universities and research centres, and (2) engaged creative hubs, textile laboratories, institutional networks, innovative enterprises, and small sustainable brands.The surveys reached over 20 institutions and professionals across Europe and beyond, participants came from countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Finland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, representing a diverse mix of voices from education, design, and industry.
What we learned from universities and research institutions
Universities and VET centers confirmed their strong commitment to developing new sustainable materials, circular design models, and lifecycle studies, but they also highlighted several key challenges:
- Fragmented access to information: Most research results on sustainable materials remain scattered across journals or closed databases.
- Limited collaboration with industry: Educators and researchers often struggle to connect with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for joint innovation.
- Funding and time constraints: Translating research into practical applications requires resources that are not always available.
- Need for open and practical tools: Respondents requested accessible online platforms, training modules, and shared material databases that help bridge science and application.
As one respondent noted:
We need more interdisciplinary platforms where researchers, designers, and companies can co-develop solutions and test them in real-world contexts.
What we learned from creative hubs, designers, and industry stakeholders
Designers, entrepreneurs, and textile makers expressed enthusiasm for innovation but face real barriers to working sustainably:
- Difficulty finding verified materials: 75% reported that sourcing transparent and certified materials is still complex and time-consuming.
- High costs and limited suppliers: Many small studios cannot afford minimum order quantities or access smaller-scale sustainable options.
- Lack of centralized, trustworthy data: Stakeholders rely on word-of-mouth or social media rather than verified databases.
- Desire for collaboration and community: Over 80% of respondents said they would join an online network connecting them with universities, suppliers, and experts.
Most respondents rated a “centralized material library with verified sustainable options” and “toolkits for evaluating material sustainability” as their top priorities.
Key opportunities identified
Across both surveys, several shared needs emerged that guide the IMASUS mission:
- Create an open and reliable material knowledge base – to make scientific data and certification systems easier to access and understand.
- Bridge the gap between research and practice – by connecting universities and VET institutions with creative hubs and small businesses.
- Develop modular educational content – practical, multilingual, and adaptable training resources for learners and professionals.
- Support affordable experimentation and collaboration – through shared tools, case studies, and pilot projects.
How IMASUS will respond
Based on these findings, IMASUS will:
- Build an open-access digital platform with validated scientific data, certification information, and sustainable supplier directories.
- Develop training modules and practical toolkits to teach sustainable material use and circular design skills.
- Facilitate cross-sector collaboration through workshops and online spaces linking researchers, designers, and educators.
- Promote transparency, accessibility, and inclusion by making all project resources available in multiple languages under open licences.
This work forms the foundation of the IMASUS Open Educational Knowledge Base — a collaborative hub designed to make sustainable textile innovation accessible to everyone.
A shared vision
The surveys made one thing clear: the transition to sustainable and circular fashion requires openness, connection, and shared knowledge.
By building bridges between education, research, and industry, IMASUS aims to empower a new generation of textile and fashion professionals to design, produce, and collaborate sustainably.