The textile and clothing (T&C) value chain is one of the most polluting in the world and one that produces the most waste. It is, therefore, important to encourage the circular economy (CE) model in this sector to reduce pollution, mitigate the effects of waste production, and, consequently, increase environmental sustainability. Leveraging end-consumer engagement in a CE mindset in the T&C sector is crucial, as they are the last player in a typical linear value chain. Therefore, a platform that supports and promotes sustainable tasks to manage one’s fashion products, through the use of gamification techniques, can be of utmost importance. In this article, we identify impactful carbon footprint consumer actions and solutions for the T&C consumer phase. After that, we survey gamification frameworks for analyzing techniques, at the system design level, which enable the engagement of the final consumer in the CE process. Then, we select and use one of such frameworks, Gameful Design Heuristics (GDH), for defining the gamification structure needed to implement on a business-to-consumer-to-consumer (B2C2C) context of a circular economy process, linking it to the aforementioned actions and solutions. As result, we present a B2C2C circular business process model for the T&C value chain and propose the design model of a gamified platform for the final consumers, which allows them to register the consumer-to-business (C2B) and consumer-to-consumer (C2C) activities, from the circular value chain’s business process, and benefit from a game-like experience. All the model features have been mapped to the GDH framework heuristics, validating that it is possible to support a set of defined heuristics of applied gamification for promoting CE in the T&C value chain.

In recent years, there has been an increase of infectious diseases caused by different microorganisms and the development of antibiotic resistance. In this way, the search for new and efficient antibacterial materials is imperative. The main polysaccharides currently used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical domains are chitin and its derivative chitosan (CH) and alginates (ALG). In this study, a simple technique of Layer by Layer (LbL) of applying polycation CH and polyanion ALG was used to prepare CH/ALG multilayers on cotton samples via the electrostatic assembly with success. The CH/ALG cotton samples (functionalized) were investigated for their antibacterial properties towards Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia using the international standard method JIS L 1902:2002. The antibacterial activity of the functionalized samples was tested in terms of bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity, and results showed that the samples exhibited a bacteriostatic effect on the two bacteria tested, as expected. In addition, samples with five layers (CH/ALG/CH/ALG/CH) were more effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. This new coating for cellulosic fibers is a new strategy and may open new avenues for the development of antimicrobial polymers with potential application in health-care field.

Objective: to analyze evidence concerning the feasibility of antimicrobial-impregnated fabrics in preventing and controlling microbial transmission in health services. Method: an integrative review using the following databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), regardless of language and date of publication. Seven studies were included in the analysis to verify the types of fabrics and substances used to impregnate the fabrics, applicability in health services, and decrease in microbial load. Results: silver nanoparticles and copper oxide are the main antimicrobial substances used to impregnate the fabrics. The patients’ use of these fabrics, such as in bed and bath linens and clothing, was more effective in reducing antimicrobial load than in health workers’ uniforms. Conclusion: the use of these antimicrobial-impregnated textiles, especially by patients, is a viable alternative to prevent and control microbial transmission in health services. Implementing these fabrics in health workers’ uniforms requires further studies, however, to verify its effectiveness in decreasing microbial load in clinical practice.

This paper inquires into different ideas and meanings (according to different languages and cultures) conveyed by the concepts of conservalion and resloralion, as well as evenlual changes laking place lalely. II discusses differences of approaches, procedures and objectives Ihat distinguish both activities as seen from the point of view of textile conservation. Severa I examples of diverse approaches in the Irealment of textiles differenl in nalure are given full account.

The textile industry, the oldest in consumer goods manufacturing, has undergone significant advancements due to technological progress in microelectronics, computer science, and biotechnology. The introduction of synthetic fibers revolutionized the industry by offering enhanced durability, resistance, and manipulability. Despite these innovations, the textile sector is often criticized for its environmental impact, stemming from production, manufacturing, and transportation practices. The industry's emphasis on low costs and fast fashion has led to mass production, escalating consumption, reducing product lifespan, and generating increased waste. Additionally, textiles provide an ideal environment for the growth of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Bacterial presence on textile fibers can lead to visible changes such as stains, discoloration, reduced strength, and unpleasant odors. Beyond aesthetic alterations, microbial growth poses health risks to consumers, potentially causing infections and compromising their well-being. During this internship in CITEVE, Centro Tecnológico das Indústrias Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal, a quantitative assay was developed and implemented to assess the antifungal activity of textiles and an antibacterial assay already implemented, was performed. Additionally, research was conducted on the environmental impact of textile products, concerning their end-of-life phase, as part of the Be@t project. The evaluation of antifungal activity, following the ISO 13629-2, was tested on three separated occasions. Both negative and positive controls were employed, with the antifungal properties of the material used in the positive control having been previously verified according to EN 14119 by a qualified laboratory technician. The studies performed regarding the environmental impact of textile products were tested in three textile fibers (cotton, lyocell, and polyester). On these textile fibers, the level of disintegration was assessed at a laboratory scale, using ISO 20200, NP EN 13432 and ISO 11721-1. While ISO 20200 and NP EN 13432 focus on plastic disintegration, adjustment from ISO 11721-1 (which assesss cellulose-based textiles resistence to microorganism) have improved this methodreliability. The textile products were buried in substrate and incubated at 58 ºC. This allowed to determine the time it takes to the specimens to disintegrate. For the cotton, it was obtained a disintegration level of 94% after 40 days, as for the lyocell it took 50 days to it the 90%. The polyester fibers even after 90 days did not show any changes. The phytotoxicity test carried out on the substrate in which dyed cotton was buried for 40 days showed that it did not cause any alteration in the development of Brassica Oleracea. However, these results do not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn and further tests need to be carried out.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has transformed the fashion industry over the years by allowing the production of more complex patterns, textures and geometries, enabling unprecedented levels of customization. Owing to such promising capabilities, this research focuses on evaluating the challenges and opportunities in producing different textile structures, categorised into nonwovens, wovens, and knits, through AM. To this aim, intricate 3D models representing textile structures were first created employing Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) principles and then produced with different AM technologies, namely Material Extrusion, Powder Bed Fusion, Material Jetting and VAT Photopolymerization. Through the implemented research methodology, the feasibility and adaptability of AM in the production of textile structures were evaluated, exposing considerations regarding materials, structural stability, and overall manufacturability. The results of the research contribute to the growing corpus of knowledge at the intersection of textile design and AM, providing valuable insights into potential applications and advancements in this emerging field. In conclusion, this study offers a detailed exploration of 3D-printed textile fabrication, categorizing different textiles, and adapting these for key AM technologies, thereby aiding innovative thinking in 3D-printed fashion.

Microplastic fibers have been found to be a dominant form of microplastics in water matrixes, and textile industry and domestic washing of synthetic textiles as one of its main sources. Additionally, there is a lack of knowlidge about microplastic fiber release during mechanically drying clothes and textiles due to differences in the isolation of microplastic fiber methods. Limited information available in the literature in terms of the isolation of microplastic fibers from organic-rich samples after using different household equipment represents one of the main challenges leading us to our main goal, to optimise an effective, simple, and low-cost method for the isolation of microplastic fibers from textile fibers of different origins without damaging their structure. This is achieved by primarily removing mineral matter by using density separation with a saturated solution of ZnCl2 followed by removal of organic matter by using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and FeCl3 as a catalyst. Identification of microplastic fibers was obtained by optical microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis. Clear microscope (both optical and SEM) images, high percentage of obtained FTIR spectra overlap with Polymer Sample laboratory, clear TGA of isolated samples confirmed that this method can be used as a simple and effective method for isolation of microplastic fibers from organic components rich samples of different origin.

O presente trabalho percorre, na diagonal, a teoria da integração e as teorias sobre políticas industriais, passando pela análise da SADC e desembocando em Angola, mais especificamente na fileira do algodão, para responder a duas perguntas: que políticas industriais para Angola? Valerá a pena investir na fileira do algodão? A teórica da integração surge para compreender a envolvente que condiciona o desenvolvimento industrial angolano. O destaque da SADC neste trabalho é compreensivel, já que o processo de integração irá subverter a distinção entre mercado interno e mercado externo. O mercado angolano deixará de estar protegido e a competição aumentará. Conhecer a evolução da SADC e os fundamentos das suas políticas é meio caminho para compreender a actual tendência do mercado integrado. Como. segundo a teoria da integração, é com a indústria que os Países em Vias de Desenvolvimento (PVD) obtêm ganhos com a integração económica, desliza-se para as políticas industriais. Mas Angola, acabada de sair de uma guerra de cerca de trinta anos, não poderá competir nesse mercado mais alargado e mais competitivo sem a adopção de politicas industriais. Saber que políticas, conduz a questão para a teoria das políticas industrias, com duas principais correntes; uma que defende uma actuação mais activa das politicas públicas e outra que fundamenta o livre mercado. E na primeira que Angola melhor se enquadra, dado ter uma economia dual e manifestações de falhas de mercado, apesar da SADC adiar a definição de políticas industriais, ou remetê-las, actualmente, para as forças do mercado, ou para os Estados membros. Como o objecto da análise foi a fileira do algodão desenharam-se as políticas industriais a partir do sistema de produção de bens e serviços. Depois de fazer o enquadramento teórico das políticas industriais em vigor em Angola, sugerem-se algumas políticas industriais para o país. Se a resposta à primeira pergunta foi relativamente fácil, já no caso da segunda há margem para outras conclusões, embora se avancem duas sugestões: a) se a intenção for a criação de postos de trabalho, deve-se defender a parte agrícola - produção de algodão em caroço e a instalação de algumas unidades de produção do tipo maquilhadoras, provavelmente de uma grande indústria de confecções localizada num dos países membros da SADC; b) se a intenção for a passagem para actividades de maior valor agregado, chave do processo de desenvolvimento económico, então Angola deverá defender as indústrias têxteis e de confecções.

The aim of this work is to understand the impact of size on the performance of transnational corporations (TNCs) operating in the textile and clothing industry in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, we used ORBIS data for the period 2019–2020 and narrative, financial and correlation analyses to assess the performance of five companies. Thus far, the impact of company size on the competitiveness of Portuguese textile affiliates during the pandemic has remained unexplored. The results show that smaller firms performed better than larger ones, likely due to the higher fixed costs of the latter at times when orders declined worldwide. Our analysis suggests that there are some characteristics of TNCs that matter in explaining company-level performance during crises, such as management experience and flexibility. Furthermore, as Portugal is a major European textile exporter, it is useful for the host country to assess the economic sustainability of its foreign investors. The results provide some policy recommendations regarding the promotion of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Portugal.