Textiles from Prato fly to Japan. For Expo 2025 Osaka, from July 13 to 19, the Tuscany Region is presenting in Osaka the exhibition “Tuscan Genius. Creativity beyond space and time” inside the Italian Pavilion, with the guidance of the Section General Commissariat for Italian Participation in Expo 2025 Osaka.

Unique and highly advanced fabrics selected by the Prato Textile Museum, thanks to the collaboration with some companies from the Prato district, will be displayed at the Osaka Expo in Japan in an exhibition dedicated to sustainability set up in the Italian pavilion designed by Mario Cucinella. Made from recycled wool, cotton and synthetic fibers from used clothing and production waste, the selected fabrics are a reminder of how the Prato textile district was among the first to develop the recovery of regenerated wool.

Pontetorto is among the selected protagonists for this splendid adventure that aims to bring to Japan, a land of great textile traditions and today an outpost of technological innovation in the fashion system, that ancient culture in terms of circular textiles that looks to the future with great vision and knowledge.

The tradition of textile recycling in Italy is very old. In the city of Prato, regenerated carded wool, that is, recycled from old garments or scraps, gives rise to a real industry starting in the second half of the 19th century. Since then, Prato has built an innovative production district thanks to its ability to recover rags, giving new life to waste fabrics.

Although only 15 percent of discarded clothing is recycled worldwide, Regenerated fabrics are a great opportunity for the entire textile production system and for Made in Italy fashion. It is especially important for the Prato district, which has a long history in recovery and processing including for the famous “regenerated carded” wool. More than 20,000 tons of regenerated fibers are produced in Prato each year thanks to a highly specialized production chain.

While in the past recycled fabrics were generally of lower quality than the original ones (downcycling), today it is possible to develop even better products (upcycling) thanks to the creativity and technical expertise of textile designers. These results show how high-quality textiles and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

Thank to the companies that contributed generously and passionately to this project: @antilotexflock_italia @archeprincipincipiotessile @beste_spa @lanificiobigagli @frati_textiles @bisentino @thehouseoflyria @marini_industrie @novafides @pointexspa @pontetorto @tessilgodi @sageautomotiveinteriors