The LIFE ANHIDRA project, formally titled Unique and sustainable system for producing garments without water discharges, was funded by the European Union under the LIFE Programme. It ran from September 2022 to May 2025, with a total budget of EUR 2.10 million and an EU contribution of EUR 1.26 million. Coordinated by JEANOLOGIA SL (Spain), the consortium brought together partners from Spain and Portugal, including research organisations and industrial manufacturers. The project aimed to demonstrate an innovative, closed‑loop water regeneration system for textile finishing processes, designed to drastically reduce freshwater consumption, wastewater generation and pollutant discharge, while supporting more sustainable and resource‑efficient production models in the textile ecosystem. 

A key part of LIFE ANHIDRA was the development, validation and industrial demonstration of a closedloop system enabling the regeneration and reuse of water in textile garment finishing.

Key achievements of the project include: 

• Demonstration and industrial validation: successful installation and operation of the ANHIDRA system at Pizarro’s facilities in Portugal, capable of reusing water in industrial washing machines for up to 60 consecutive operating days, with reuse efficiencies between 96% and 98%.
• Environmental and resource savings: Achieved significant reductions in resource use, including 92% less water consumption, 98% less wastewater generation, and 15% lower electric energy consumption compared to conventional textile finishing processes, while avoiding discharges of emerging pollutants, microfibres, and pathogens, thanks to the ANHIDRA system.
• Circular economy integration: Recovery and valorisation of textile fibres captured from regenerated water into pigments and other materials for textile and composite applications, supporting circular economy principles.
• Environmental impact assessment and replication planning: Completion of a Life Cycle Assessment confirming improved environmental performance relative to conventional methods, alongside development of replication and business plans forecasting installation of 35 systems within three years and up to 100 systems within five years, with potential global water savings of over 12 million m³ annually.
• Communication and dissemination: Extensive outreach including, including networking with other LIFE projects and participation in sector events, such as a webinar during the EUGreenWeek2025, and ongoing promotion through digital channels to ensure visibility and uptake of the technology. 

LIFE ANHIDRA supported ongoing European efforts to improve sustainability in textile production by developing and demonstrating a closed-loop solution that significantly reduces water use and wastewater generation. By regenerating process water and enabling its continuous reuse, the project offered a practical approach for resource efficient manufacturing, particularly relevant for regions facing water scarcity or strict discharge regulations. The system also supported wider circularity goals by addressing microfibre release and identifying routes for valorising fibres recovered during the regeneration process. The project’s industrial demonstration and positive environmental assessment highlighted how regenerative water management can be integrated into textile finishing, contributing to broader European ambitions on water efficiency, pollution prevention and sustainable production practices. 

LIFE ANHIDRA was coordinated by JEANOLOGIA SL and brought together partners from Spain and Portugal, combining expertise in textile finishing, water treatment technologies and environmental assessment. The consortium integrated industrial and research capabilities to develop, validate and demonstrate the closed‑loop water regeneration system under real manufacturing conditions. This collaboration enabled effective knowledge exchange through technical reports, dissemination materials, networking with other LIFE and EU-funded initiatives, participation in industry events and continuous communication activities throughout the project.