Tèxtils.CAT, as the coordinator of the xBUILD-EU project, today released comprehensive results from the initiative's successful €1.05 million cascade funding program. The project has proven to be a powerful engine for growth, driving tangible outcomes for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across three key pillars: new product innovation, business process digitalization, and international market expansion. The findings underscore the effectiveness of cluster-led support in building a more resilient and competitive European industrial ecosystem across the textile, construction, and advanced technology sectors.

Pillar 1: Unlocking New-to-Market Innovations

A primary outcome of the xBUILD-EU funding has been the launch of numerous new-to-firm products and services by beneficiary SMEs. These market-ready solutions demonstrate a strong focus on sustainability and advanced technology. Highlights of these innovations include:

• Smart and Sustainable Materials: SMEs developed and launched novel products such as high-performance outdoor furnishings made from recycled materials, sustainable render mortars using recycled textile fibers for construction, and advanced textile-based sensors for moisture detection in buildings.
• Circular Economy in Action: Several projects pioneered circular solutions, successfully creating new yarns from post-consumer textile waste and developing fully recyclable packaging components to eliminate plastics.

• Digital Product Integration: Digitalization was a key driver, leading to the creation of mobile apps for precise body measurement for custom apparel, advanced software for environmental compliance, and integrated RFID-textile systems for improving patient care in healthcare settings.

Pillar 2: Transforming Business Processes from Within

Beyond new products, the project catalyzed deep-seated business process innovations, fundamentally improving how SMEs operate. The "Green and Digital Grants," which required collaborative proposals, were particularly effective in fostering operational change:

• Real-Time Data for Decision-Making: A dominant trend was the shift from manual tracking to integrated digital systems. SMEs implemented real-time monitoring dashboards and sensor networks to track energy consumption, optimize resource use, and enhance production efficiency.
• AI-Powered Quality Control: Companies adopted artificial intelligence and image-processing systems to automate quality control in manufacturing, resulting in significantly fewer defects and reduced material waste.

• Advancing Traceability for a Circular Future: Directly aligning with the European Green Deal, projects embedded digital identifiers like NFC tags into recycled products. This innovation enhances lifecycle transparency and prepares SMEs for the upcoming EU Digital Product Passport regulation.

Pillar 3: Expanding into Global Markets

The xBUILD-EU project also successfully expanded the global reach of European SMEs through its "Global Grant" program. Twelve SMEs received funding and tailored support to enter markets in the Middle East, resulting in new international business agreements.

A flagship achievement was a strategic cluster mission to Saudi Arabia in February 2025. The country was selected for its vast economic opportunities aligned with its Vision 2030 plan. During the mission, the xBUILD-EU partnership engaged with key Saudi institutions, including the Fashion Commission, the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and King Saud University's Advanced Manufacturing Institute, to build strategic relationships.

This direct engagement yielded immediate results: the mission led to the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with local Saudi partners. These agreements establish a formal framework for long-term collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of new business opportunities between European SMEs and Saudi stakeholders in the textile, construction, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The combined results from the xBUILD-EU project demonstrate a comprehensive and successful model for SME support. The initiative confirms that targeted, cluster-led financial support is a powerful mechanism for driving Europe’s twin green and digital transitions while simultaneously unlocking new international growth opportunities.