Sustainable Development of Textile Engineering Materials

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue on "Sustainable Development of Textile Engineering Materials" aims to present a comprehensive exploration into the dynamic landscape of textile engineering with a dedicated focus on sustainability. In response to the global imperative for environmentally conscious practices, this issue will seek to unravel innovative strategies, breakthroughs, and transformative approaches that propel the sustainable evolution of textile materials.

The interdisciplinary nature of textile engineering intersects with many fields like materials science, chemistry, and design, making it a pivotal field for ushering in sustainability in the broader context of manufacturing and consumption. The collection of articles within this Special Issue will investigate a spectrum of topics, including but not limited to advancements in eco-friendly fiber materials and technologies, sustainable textile and finishing, circular design principles, and the development of textiles for a circular economy.

Contributions from leading experts, researchers, and practitioners will help to illuminate the latest developments in sustainable textile engineering. From exploring novel materials with reduced environmental impact for investigating advanced manufacturing techniques that promote resource efficiency, this Special Issue provides insights into the transformative potential of sustainable practices in the textile industry.

I hope that this Special Issue will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, fostering a community of researchers, academics, and professionals committed to shaping a more sustainable future for textile engineering. I trust that all contributions collectively contribute to the ongoing discussion about the crucial role that textile engineering can play in addressing current challenges and promoting the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The "Sustainable Development of Textile Engineering Materials" Special Issue invites authors to engage with cutting-edge research, inspiring case studies and visionary perspectives that collectively drive the textile industry toward a more sustainable and responsible future.

The focus of the Special Issue, "Sustainable Development of Textile Engineering Materials," is to spotlight practical and innovative strategies within textile engineering that contribute significantly to sustainability. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Smart Textiles: featuring advancements in textiles embedded with technology for applications in health monitoring, responsive clothing, and environmental sensing;
• Recycling Technologies: highlighting breakthroughs in textile recycling methods, including mechanical and chemical processes that contribute to the creation of a circular economy;
• Low-Impact Finishing Processes: exploring sustainable finishing techniques that minimize environmental impact;
• Eco-friendly and Biodegradable Materials: showcasing the development and application of textiles that address end-of-life concerns and contribute to reducing environmental waste;
• Nanotechnology in Textiles: investigating the use of nanomaterials for enhancing textile properties, such as improved durability, stain resistance, and antibacterial features;
• 3D Printing in Textile Manufacturing: examining the integration of 3D printing technologies for producing customizable and sustainable textile structures;
• Textiles for Social Responsibility: exploring the role and applications of textiles in addressing pandemic and mass crisis scenarios;
• Innovation in Textile Technologies: sustainable textile innovations, e.g., those involving recycled or upcycled materials, and all design and technological concepts that contribute to the long-term use of textiles and the reduction of waste;
• Energy-Efficient Production Processes: showcasing advancements in energy-efficient manufacturing processes, including optimized machinery and renewable energy integration;
• Advanced Finishing Techniques: exploring eco-friendly dyeing methods using natural dyes, digital printing, and other innovative approaches that reduce water and chemical usage;
• Precision Agriculture and Smart Farming Textiles: highlighting textiles designed for precision agriculture, including smart fabrics for crop monitoring, pest control, and soil health assessment;
• Wearable Energy Harvesting: showcasing textiles equipped with technologies that harvest and store energy from the environment, contributing to the development of self-sustaining wearable devices.

The Special Issue on "Sustainable Development of Textile Engineering Materials" will make a valuable contribution to the existing literature by supplementing it in the following ways:

1. This issue will provide new insights and advancements in sustainable textile engineering, offering a contemporary perspective on environmentally conscious practices. This supplements the existing literature by presenting the latest developments and innovations that contribute to the field's continuous evolution;
2. By focusing on the role of textile engineering in addressing contemporary challenges, such as environmental impact and resource depletion, this issue supplements the existing literature with practical solutions and strategies tailored to the current global concerns;
3. The inclusion of case studies and practical examples in this Special Issue will supplement the existing theoretical frameworks with real-world applications. This helps bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation, offering a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable textile development;
4. This issue will bring together contributions from various disciplines within textile engineering, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. This supplements the existing literature by providing a more holistic view of sustainable development, acknowledging the interconnectedness of materials science, engineering, and environmental considerations;
5. This Special Issue will focus on emerging technologies and innovations in textile engineering. This supplements the existing literature by showcasing cutting-edge methodologies and tools that contribute to the field's technological advancement;
6. By emphasizing circular design principles and recycling technologies, this issue supplements the existing literature with a focus on sustainable end-of-life considerations. This aligns with the growing interest in circular economy practices within the broader context of textile materials;
7. This Special Issue may include discussions on the policy implications of sustainable textile engineering. This supplements the existing literature by providing insights into the regulatory landscape and potential policy frameworks that can support and promote sustainable practices in the textile industry;
8. Through international perspectives and collaborative research efforts, this issue supplements the existing literature by fostering a sense of global cooperation. This can lead to shared knowledge and best practices that contribute to a more unified approach to sustainable textile development.

Prof. Dr. Radostina A. Angelova
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• sustainable textiles
• eco-friendly textiles
• circular design
• recycling technologies
• green manufacturing
• biodegradable materials
• smart textiles
• low-impact finishing
• circular economy
• materials science
• environmental impact
• human–textiles interaction
• social responsibility
• innovation in textile engineering
• circular design principles
• textile recycling
• ethical manufacturing
• life cycle assessment
• renewable materials
• sustainable fashion