What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to investigate the environmental impacts of wool jumper production and recycling methods.

February 12, 2026Open Access

On-Demand Knitting and Recycling: An LCA Study Investigating an Integrated Solution for Sustainable Woollen Jumpers

MHMarije L. HesterFilm Independent NVNatascha M. van der VeldenDelft University of Technology JVJ.G. VogtländerDelft University of Technology

Key Points

This research aims to investigate the environmental impacts of wool jumper production and recycling methods.
Conducted life cycle assessment (LCA) using Idemat to measure environmental burdens.
Compared eco-costs and carbon footprints of recycled versus virgin wool jumpers.
Performed cradle-to-gate analysis for shredding and unravelling methods of recycling.
Executed cradle-to-grave calculations per wear for different wool jumper production methods.
Virgin wool jumper has eco-costs of EUR 3.53 and a carbon footprint of 21.93 kg CO2-e.
Recycled wool jumper shows significantly reduced eco-costs of EUR 0.31 and a carbon footprint of 1.56 kg CO2-e.
Unravelled wool jumper presents even lower eco-costs of EUR 0.19 and 0.89 kg CO2-e.
Mass production has a 44% higher environmental impact compared to on-demand knitting.

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to reduce the environmental burden of textiles, specifically focusing on the production of Merino woollen jumpers. The study addresses two techniques to lessen the environmental burden: (1) recycling of wool garments by shredding or unravelling and (2) preventing the overstocking of products through on-demand knitting. The environmental burden is measured via LCA using Idemat. The results are reported in terms of eco-costs (EUR) and carbon footprint (kg CO2-e). A cradle-to-gate analysis of recycling by either shredding or unravelling is compared with the use of virgin wool. The results are: EUR 3.53 in eco-costs and 21.93 kg CO2-e as the carbon footprint for a virgin wool jumper to EUR 0.31 eco-costs and 1.56 kg CO2-e for a recycled wool jumper and EUR 0.19 eco-costs and 0.89 kg CO2-e for an unravelled wool jumper. Additionally, a cradle-to-grave calculation per wear was made, resulting in: EUR 0.045 and 0.278 kg CO2-e, EUR 0.004 and 0.020 kg CO2-e, and EUR 0.002 and 0.011 kg CO2-e, respectively. A revenue-normalized comparison between on-demand knitting and mass production based on the eco-costs/value ratio (EVR) shows a 44% higher environmental impact for a mass production system.

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