The Horizon Europe-funded MELANGE project officially started on 1 August 2026, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of interior textile production by moving colour design to the beginning of the manufacturing process. The project brings together researchers, designers, industrial partners and textile networks to explore new approaches to colour that can reduce the use of water, energy and chemicals in textile production. 

MELANGE challenges the conventional focus on colour uniformity and replicability, instead exploring variation as a desirable feature of textile products. Over the next three years, the project will combine design, technology and business expertise to support the development of new aesthetics and more sustainable approaches to textile colouration, with the aim of informing designers, industry and policymakers. 

Led by Aalto University, the consortium brings together partners from across the textile value chain, including fibre, spinning, weaving and interior design companies, as well as research, technology, public affairs and textile organisations. Textile ETP is leading communications, dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities for the project. 

As part of the project’s start-up activities, Textile ETP joined the Aalto University team from 4-6 August for a co-creative design workshop focused on developing MELANGE’s visual identity. The workshop explored how the project’s core values of colour design, circularity and sustainable competitiveness could be translated into a distinctive visual language. The new visual identity is scheduled to be presented on 27 August 2026 and will support communication with industry and design stakeholders, policymakers and the wider public throughout the project.

To get more details, read the entire article on Textile ETP website.