EDA Selects REGEN Project to Pioneer Composite Circularity in Defence Materials
BY Composights
Published: 30 Jun 2025
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has selected the REGEN project as one of three flagship initiatives driving circularity in the defence sector, marking a major step toward sustainable resource management in high-performance composite applications.
The REGEN consortium brings together advanced material innovators and research leaders, including Spain’s FECSA and AITEX, the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), and Uplift360, a pioneer in aramid fibre recycling.
As part of the project, Uplift360 will focus on the recovery and regeneration of continuous aramid fibres, widely used in protective composite defence textiles. A core challenge addressed by REGEN is the removal of PFAS coatings, chemistries that have long hindered the scaling of advanced recycling technologies. By developing breakthrough PFAS removal processes and refining recycled spun aramids, Uplift360 aims to set new performance standards for circular composite materials.
“Project REGEN marks a defining moment for defence material circularity, one that the team at Uplift360 is immensely proud to be part of,” said Chris Jenkins, Research & Innovation Director of Uplift360.
Key project contributions include:
FECSA: Consortium coordinator, driving strategy and communication while applying expertise in advanced protective textiles.
AITEX: Leading fabric development, characterisation testing, and supporting wet-spinning optimisation.
LIST: Conducting life cycle assessment to ensure environmental impact reductions across the supply chain.
Uplift360: Developing advanced fibre recovery and PFAS removal technologies and engaging directly with industry to evolve materials for defence composite applications.
“Circularity in high-performance composites is no longer optional—it’s a mission,” said Arantxa Díaz Bautista, PhD, R&D Researcher at FECSA. “We are proud to lead REGEN, a project that directly contributes to Europe’s strategic autonomy and sustainable innovation.”
Source: www.uplift360.tech
