Join the TexBuild Challenge innovation competition where end-of-life textiles find new purpose in construction!
The competition seeks creative, feasible, and sustainable solutions that give discarded textiles a new life in construction applications. We especially invite students and professionals from the textile and construction sectors to join, but participants from other fields are also warmly welcome! The competition is part of the ReTexCon – Recycled Textiles in Construction project.
What’s the task?
Design - either individually or as a team - an innovative product, component, or solution that utilizes discarded textiles for the construction industry. Your concept could involve insulation, acoustic solutions, composite structures, or entirely new applications where textiles have never been used before. A conceptual-level plan is sufficient - the most important thing is a transformative idea with real potential.
Why participate?
- Contribute directly to advancing the circular economy
- Receive expert mentoring and visibility for your idea
- Network with industry professionals
- Gain opportunity for further development and commercialization
Evaluation Criteria
A jury of experts from the textile and construction sectors will evaluate entries based on four main criteria:
- Innovation and novelty
- Commercial and environmental potential
- Suitability for the construction industry
- Durability and lifecycle
Competition Timeline
- Registration starts at 11.11. and ends at 11.12.2025
- 11.12.2025 at 14-15 Kick-off event (online)
- 15.1.2026 at 14-15 Mentoring session for interested participants (online)
- 3.2.2026 at 9-12 Competition day and winner announcement (Tampere (incl. lunch for participants), hybrid participation possible)
How to participate?
Your entry should include a written and visual description of your idea, along with a pitch to the jury. Choose a discarded textile material, justify its use, and demonstrate how your idea works in a construction environment.
Do you have an idea that could revolutionize the construction industry and give textile waste a new value? Now’s the time to show it!
Intellectual property rights: need to be acknowledged on registration.
1. Patent Protection and Public Disclosure
I understand that publishing the technical solution submitted to the competition may prevent obtaining a patent for the idea in the future. I acknowledge that if I have not protected the ideas or solutions submitted to the competition (for example, through a patent, design right, or copyright) before participating, they are unprotected, and I am solely responsible for securing any protection prior to participation.
2. Intellectual Property Rights
I understand that any potential intellectual property rights related to the materials I submit will remain with me as the inventor, and that no rights are transferred to the competition organizers or other parties without a separate agreement.
3. Third-Party Rights
I agree that the materials I submit do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party, and I accept that my participation may be disqualified if such an infringement is discovered or reasonably suspected.
Retexcon is a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and coordinated by Tampere University of Applied Sciences, with LAB University of Applied Sciences and Turku University of Applied Sciences as project partners.