E-Textiles Network Webinar – Addressing the Complexity of Sustainable E-Textiles; A Lifecycle Approach
Presented by Dr Christina Webb, University of Southampton
The advancement of electronic textiles (e-textiles) is growing at an unprecedented rate. Every year, new multinational projects are forming to further develop e-textiles and increasingly complex products are being introduced into the global market. Despite this amazing display of the boundless capabilities of human invention, now is the time to ask; to what extent should designers be considering the inevitable environmental impact of their creations? Some deem the climate crisis to be humanity’s greatest threat, one that may change the very nature of civilisation. E-textiles have the potential to become interwoven into the daily lives of billions, resulting in insurmountable quantities of waste and environmental destruction. This moment, the design phase, is the best time to mitigate these impacts before it is too late.
Within this webinar, the complex issues of designing sustainable e-textiles will be discussed. Topics ranging all the way from defining what we mean by sustainability, to sustainable materials and processes, and eventual end-of-life treatment of finalised textiles will be included with each aspect of an e-textile’s lifecycle addressed. Sustainability issues arise within various design phases of an e-textile system; from the small electronic components, to the overall textile substrate, and added difficulty when integrating components together particularly in regard to the subsequent hybrid waste that is created.
Problems faced at each stage will be systematically reviewed and the various tools used to identify and solve these issues will be explored. Methodologies increasing in popularity, such as Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Eco-design principles, will be covered in a way where participants can assess their suitability for their own projects. This aims to be an enlightening and comprehensive presentation that informs the viewer on various design possibilities when it comes to e-textiles and leaves everyone more informed of the holistic sustainability issues that e-textiles face.
This webinar will take place on Tuesday 21st July 2026 12.00-13.00 (BST). To register for the webinar, please complete the registration form.