Transitionlab

Success factors and ELSI aspects of biotextile innovation for a societal transition to the bioeconomy.

Motivation

The transition of society as a whole to a bio-based economy is accompanied by fundamental changes in the technical, economic and social environment and accordingly requires a broad consensus from science, business, society and politics. This is where the concept of the accompanying research project in the BIOTEXFUTURE innovation space comes in, by examining the development, production and circular usage of bio-based textiles as well as the overall societal transition process towards a functioning bioeconomy and its success factors on several research levels (sociological, economic geography, marketing, communication and business management).

Aim

Specifically, TransitionLab aims to research, design and promote innovation and knowledge transfer, innovation culture, optimised framework conditions and aspects of technology acceptance and usability for an overall societal, bioeconomic transformation from the perspectives of the disciplines involved, considering ethical, social and legal aspects (ELSI).

TRANSITIONLAB VISUALIZED

APPROACH

The accompanying research of BIOTEXFUTURE has the goal, from the perspectives of sociology, economic geography, jurisprudence, business administration and companies.

The TransitionLab has the objective to investigate ethical, social and legal aspects (ELSI), innovation and knowledge transfer, innovation culture, optimised framework conditions and aspects of technology acceptance, usability and demonstrator development for an overall societal, bio-economic change. The specific entrepreneurial approach to consumer behaviour and brand-oriented social media communication will be contributed by adidas AG. For this purpose, these results will be integrated into the design of the innovation space and used to deepen and expand it.

The necessary communication and coordination structures for interdisciplinary exchange will be established for this purpose in the TransitionLab and the other project networks of the Innovation Space.

Results

After five years of social research within the BIOTEXFUTURE innovation space, TransitionLab concludes its work with two central outcomes: the TransitionLab Communication Guideline and a White Paper on scenarios, perspectives, and drivers of transformation.

Developed in close collaboration with the WINT Design Lab (Berlin), the Communication Guideline translates complex research insights into a clear and applicable framework. It supports future-oriented communication on bio-based innovation, circularity, and societal transformation across research, design, policy, and industry contexts.

The accompanying TransitionLab White Paper deepens the analytical foundation of the project. Using a modular scenario approach, it explores different transformation pathways for the textile industry and highlights activating and blocking dynamics between key actors, technologies, and political frameworks. The White Paper provides orientation for decision-makers in research, policy, business, and design who are engaged in shaping a bio-based and circular textile future.