Tèxtils.CAT, the Catalan cluster for technical textiles, proudly announces the successful launch and implementation of xBUILD-EU, a European strategic project designed to foster cross-sectoral innovation, sustainability, and resilience among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe.

xBUILD-EU is a Eurocluster initiative co-funded by the European Union, aimed at connecting and strengthening three key industrial ecosystems: textiles, construction, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Through a dynamic four-month implementation phase, the project allocated over €1.05 million in lump sum grants to support SMEs in their green and digital transitions.

The initiative focused on empowering SMEs to:

• Expand internationally into new strategic markets, especially in the Gulf region;
• Innovate sustainably through advanced digitalisation and low-impact processes;
• Strengthen resilience in the face of supply chain disruptions.

Altogether, the project funded 18 SMEs from 5 European countries under three types of targeted financial support: Global Grants, Green & Digital Grants, and Innovate Grants. The funded projects are already delivering tangible results, including new partnerships, improved process efficiency, digital upskilling, and market access strategies aligned with European Green Deal goals.

As the lead cluster of this EU partnership, Tèxtils.CAT coordinated a pan-European consortium that included textile, construction, and technology clusters. This structure enabled real knowledge exchange, accelerated innovation, and promoted circular economy solutions.

With xBUILD-EU, Tèxtils.CAT reinforces its commitment to building a greener, smarter and more interconnected future for the textile sector and beyond.