ASTER
Alpine Solutions for the Transition of the textile and plastic Equipment industry and the harmonization of interregional 5R strategies
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Overview
Textile and plastic materials are crucial to the Alpine Region's economy, which includes major European producers of sports and outdoor clothing, equipment, and infrastructure. However, significant waste arises during production and at the end of a product's life. To address this issue, the project partners evaluate the current framework and solutions for waste prevention and management. They then develop common practices, policies, and regulations tailored for the Alps. By mobilising stakeholders with a shared goal, ASTER aims to improve the prevention and management of textile and plastic waste in the Alps by providing pathways to harmonise policies and regulations across the region.
Factsheet
- 2021 – 2027
- Carbon neutral and resource sensitive Alpine region
- SO 2.2 - Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy
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- AG1 Research & innovation
- 2.612.360 EUR
- 1.959.270 EUR
Partners
Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region (Lead partner)
- Lead partner
- France
- Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
- LYON CEDEX 02
- Céline QUESTER
- celine.quester@auvergnerhonealpes.fr
Techtera Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- France
- Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
- ECULLY
- Robin ODDON
- roddon@techtera.org
Standortagentur Tirol
- Austria
- Tirol (AT33)
- INNSBRUCK
- Jasmin Baruck
- jasmin.baruck@standort-tirol.at
POLYMERIS
- France
- Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
- OYONNAX CEDEX
- Roxane GIRARD
- roxane.girard@polymeris.fr
Città Studi S.p.A.
- Italy
- Piemonte (ITC1)
- BIELLA
- Paola Fontana
- paola.fontana@cittastudi.org
Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Germany
- Mittelfranken (DE25)
- Erlangen
- Tobias CHILLA
- Tobias.chilla@fau.de
Cluster Montagne
- France
- Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
- Porte de Savoie
- Pierre-François ADAM
- pf.adam@cluster-montagne.com
Genoa Chamber of commerce and industry
- Italy
- Liguria (ITC3)
- GENOVA
- Raffaella BRUZZONE
- raffaella.bruzzone@ge.camcom.it
FILSE Financial Agency of Liguria Region
- Italy
- Liguria (ITC3)
- GENOVA
- Valeria RAINISIO
- rainisio@filse.it
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia
- Slovenia
- Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
- LJUBLJANA
- Grit Ackermann
- grit.ackermann@zs.si
University of Innsbruck
- Austria
- Tirol (AT33)
- Innsbruck
- Julika Knapp
- julika.knapp@uibk.ac.at
- 46.6033541.8883335
- 45.78642114.7713117
- 47.267921511.4009453
- 46.6033541.8883335
- 45.55670318.0340103
- 49.59786264999999611.004533051933276
- 45.47838286.0317546
- 44.41079128.9340775
- 44.4103718.9432234
- 46.071630214.514948852730125
- 47.263063511.384189121260377
Outcomes
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Training, prototyping and pilot testing with user feedback to enable circular products and business models for alpine outdoor textiles and plastics with minimal waste generation.
Collaborative prototyping based on CE-principles (5R) strengthen the skills of companies in developing circular outdoor-textiles and business models and minimize waste. Testing products and new service designs under real world conditions in alpine regions gains valuable insights into customer behaviour and the feasibility for upscaling. Companies benefit from collaboration, training, scientific monitoring and recycling tests. Prototypes serve as blueprints for methodology and future applications -
Improved implementation of 5R strategies for textile and plastic products and enhanced circularity in outdoor products
Recommendations will be provided to public authorities regarding polymer waste-related policies and regulations. Industry and 5R solution providers will be connected, technical assessment and business model propositions will be transfered to business stakeholder based on the aggregated knowledge of the project, the pilot actions and the mapping activities. In the long term, this will provide precious indications to establish sustainable Alpine value chains in the industry. -
Long-term adoption of sustainable practices, and development of circular Alpine products through training materials
PPs will develop training materials which will be created from the knowledge built in WP1 and WP2. In the form of a MOOC and/or written documents, the training materials will be shared with educational and training organisations to transfer the knowledge to the current and future generations of students and employees.
Videos
Video 1 of 1
Downloads
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To find out more about ASTER project.Download
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As a main tool, the ASTER project suggests implementing the 5R strategy to minimize waste before (refuse, reduce) and after (reuse, recycle, repair/repurpose) it´s creation (Interreg Alpine Space, 2024). Within the ASTER project application, the 5R strategies used have not yet been standardised.Download
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Download
This report presents a policy overview of the legislative, institutional, and economic frameworks that influence waste prevention and management in the Alpine region.
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Textiles and plastics play a crucial role in the Alpine Region's economy. Several regions, particularly including Northern Italy, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alps region and Germany, have a long tradition in textile production (Modica 2022, Šrimpf Vendramin et al. 2024, Lambracht and Chilla 2024).Download
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The economy of the Alpine Region is strongly intertwined with the textile and plastic industries, which play a crucial role in supporting various sectors, including the production of essential goods for outdoor activities and tourism (Modica 2022, Šrimpf Vendramin et al. 2024, Lambracht and Chilla 2024).Download
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Textile and plastic materials are fundamental to the Alpine economy, supporting key mountain products such as sports and outdoor clothing and equipment, as well as infrastructure (Modica 2022, Šrimpf Vendramin et al. 2024, Lambracht and Chilla 2024).Download
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The Outdoor Consumer Report 2021 across 19 European countries finds that 81% of respondents en-gaged in at least one outdoor activity in the past 12 months, with hiking, running, and cycling among the most common activities. Additionally, 55% purchased at least one outdoor product during that period, most frequently apparel (38%), footwear (37%), and equipment (12%). (Deloitte & Outdoor by ISPO, 2021) At the same time, the Alpine region is home to well-known outdoor brands (Table 1). These brands develop and sell footwear, equipment, and apparel for all kinds of outdoor activities (e.g. biking, hiking, running).Download
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The Outdoor Consumer Report 2021 across 19 European countries finds that 81% of respondents en-gaged in at least one outdoor activity in the past 12 months, with hiking, running, and cycling among the most common activities. Additionally, 55% purchased at least one outdoor product during that period, most frequently apparel (38%), footwear (37%), and equipment (12%). (Deloitte & Outdoor by ISPO, 2021) At the same time, the Alpine region is home to well-known outdoor brands (Table 1). These brands develop and sell footwear, equipment, and apparel for all kinds of outdoor activities (e.g., biking, hiking, running).Download
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Introducing the ASTER project: circular economy in the Alpine outdoor industry.Download
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Mapping Actors, material flows, and economic gaps in Alpine textile value chains Markus Lambracht, Carola Sommer, Tobias Chilla Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergDownload
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Mapping regulations and economic policies for Alpine textile and plastic waste management Maj Rožmanec, CCIS Environmental Department, SloveniaDownload
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Looking back: driving factors for circularity Carola Sommer, Markus Lambracht, Tobias Chilla 12.05.2026 Webinar | ASTER -Alpine textile and plastic value chains: material flows, waste management and economic potentialsDownload
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Outdoor Products in Alpine Regions Waste Generation, R Strategies, Implementation Practices and Adoption Barriers ASTER Awareness Event, online, May 12, 2026 Marco Wehner & Julika Knapp, University of Innsbruck, Austria Nadine Schratzberger , Nadine Consultancy, AustriaDownload
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R-Strategies in the Outdoor Industry New Tools, New Barriers, New Solutions Nadine Schratzberger, Nadine Consultancy, AustriaDownload
Project calendar
No upcoming events
12 May 2026
ASTER - Alpine textile and Plastic Value Chains: material flows, waste management and economic potentials
Project: ASTER
110637
0
2026-05-12
2026-05-12
10:00:00
12:30:59
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|project|
23 Apr 2026
ASTER - Workshop on the Digital Product Passport
Project: ASTERThe half-day workshop will be conducted by ECHO PRM, a very active player in this field.
110052
0
2026-04-23
2026-04-23
13:00:00
17:00:59
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|project|
72
28 Jan 2026
ASTER - Dive into the Digital Product Passport for Outdoor Textiles
Project: ASTER
102768
0
2026-01-28
2026-01-28
09:00:00
12:00:59
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|project|
16 Jan 2026
ASTER – Circular Economy in the Alpine Outdoor Industry
Project: ASTER
102766
0
2026-01-16
2026-01-16
10:00:00
12:30:59
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|project|
10 - 11 Apr 2025
ASTER partners meeting
Project: ASTER
82773
1
2025-04-10
2025-04-11
00:00:00
23:59:59
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08 - 09 Oct 2024
ASTER's kick off
Project: ASTER
77763
1
2024-10-08
2024-10-09
00:00:00
23:59:59
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45.7406977
4.8193793
Project news
Media coverage
04.08.2026
Media coverage has strengthened the project's visibility among stakeholders.
See all the deliverables from the ASTER project
09.04.2026
On this page, you will find all the deliverables for the project from WP1 to WP3.
ASTER - Alpine textile and Plastic Value Chains: material flows, waste management and economic potentials
12.03.2026
What geographical legal, technical and political conditions shape current waste management practice?
ASTER - Workshop on the Digital Product Passport
27.02.2026
The half-day workshop will be conducted by ECHO PRM, a very active player in this field.
R-Strategies and their use in ASTER
03.02.2026
The EU funded ASTER project aims to harmonize waste reduction efforts in the Alps, focusing on outdo
ASTER joins ECOSYSTEX, the European Community of Practice for a Sustainable Textile Ecosystem
21.07.2025
We are proud to announce that the ASTER project is a member of ECOSYSTEX.