Through the Lens of Tomorrow

In this episode, we continue our exploration of smart textiles and ask a simple but powerful question: What becomes possible when we start asking better questions? From textiles that monitor health, generate electricity and protect healthcare workers to materials that could support communication, mobility and independence, we meet the researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators imagining what textiles might do in the future, and debating what kind of future we want them to create.  

Discover: 

• How smart textiles are evolving from passive materials into active technologies that can sense, communicate and generate energy 

• How smart textiles could improve healthcare, rehabilitation and quality of life 

• Why the best innovations start with solving real human needs 

• How sustainability is shaping the next generation of smart textile materials 

• Why collaboration between industry, researchers and society is essential to bring new technologies to life 

In this episode, we meet: 

• Christian Müller, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, exploring smart textiles that can power sensors, monitor health, and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

• Anja Lund from RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, showcasing textiles that generate electricity and discussing their potential in healthcare and wearable technologies. 

• Nils-Christer Persson from the University of Borås, sharing perspectives on future applications ranging from artificial muscles to accessible technologies that support independence and communication. 

• Anna Berglund and the Smart Textiles Showroom in Borås, demonstrating how smart textiles can help people interact with and experience the world in new ways. 

• Petra Apell and Fredrik Gellerstedt, co-founders of Texray, developing next-generation radiation protection solutions for healthcare professionals.

• Moses Shahrivar, founder of Mo'Cycle, creator of the world's first lower-body airbag jeans for motorcyclists.  

• Jenny Borg from LunaMicro, developing textile technology that actively moves moisture to improve comfort and performance. 

Context: 

Smart textiles are bringing together textile engineering, electronics, data science, healthcare and sustainability to create materials that do far more than traditional fabrics. Around the world, researchers and companies are exploring how textiles can improve safety, health, mobility and energy efficiency, while reducing environmental impact.  

West Sweden is at the forefront of this transformation. Through close collaboration between universities, research institutes, startups and established companies, the region has become a leading hub for textile innovation, helping turn ambitious ideas into technologies with real-world impact.  

This podcast is made by Move to Gothenburg, an initiative run by the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and co-founded by the European Union region Västra Götaland and several companies, universities and public organizations in the region. 

In this episode, we explore how smart textiles are transforming industries ranging from healthcare and safety to sustainability and wearable technology. We meet founders, researchers, and innovators who are asking different questions, challenging assumptions, and turning ideas into products that solve real-world problems. 

Discover: 

• How smart textiles are improving safety in hospitals and on the road 

• Why innovation often starts by questioning problems others accept as normal 

• The journey from research and prototypes to commercial products 

• How collaboration between scientists, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs drives innovation 

• The role sustainability plays in the next generation of smart textile technologies. 

In this episode, we meet: 

• Petra Apell and Fredrik Gellerstedt from Texray — developing next-generation radiation protection solutions for healthcare professionals 

• Moses Shahrivar from Mo'Cycle — creator of the world's first lower-body airbag jeans for motorcyclists

• Jenny Borg from LunaMicro — developing textile technology that actively moves moisture to improve comfort and performance 

• Anja Lund from RISE Research Institutes of Sweden —and public organizations: smart and sustainable textile materials 

• Christian Müller, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology — sharing insights on how breakthrough innovations move from the lab to society 

• Nils-Christer Persson from the University of Borås — building the cross-disciplinary environments where smart textile innovation can thrive 

• Anna Berglund from the Smart Textiles Showroom in Borås — showcasing how research and creativity open up entirely new possibilities for textiles 

Context: 

Smart textiles combine traditional fabrics with advanced materials, electronics and new technologies to create products that can sense, respond and adapt to their surroundings. From enhancing safety and comfort to enabling entirely new applications, smart textiles are becoming an important part of the future of healthcare, mobility, sports, sustainability and everyday life. 

West Sweden has emerged as one of Europe's leading hubs for textile innovation, bringing together researchers, startups, industry leaders and entrepreneurs to develop the next generation of smart textile solutions. 

This podcast is made by Move to Gothenburg, an initiative run by the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and co-founded by the European Union region Västra Götaland and several companies, universities, and public organisations in the region. 

We conclude our look at how to build a circular textile and fashion system. In this episode we explore:
·    The importance of changing our perception of buying clothes

·    Premium second hand market

·    Lack of industry knowledge onwhat people do with their clothes

·    The mindset needed to create acircular textile and fashion system

·    Challenges to building acircular textile and fashion system

·    The importance of collaboration

·    A systems approach

In this episode we meet:

Ida Hördegårdh & Bella Sörborn from Lindex

Kevin Gelsi from Nudie Jeans (interview Nov 2024)

Lill Sjöberg – The designer and innovator behind Twood

Ellen Flybäck & Anett Aldman from Science Park Borås at the University of Borås

Marie Johnson from Rekotex

Mats Ekman and Annelie Rådhall from Borås Ink

Emil Pettersen from Reparell

Kim Tjörnhed at Code4Value

This podcast is made by Move to Gothenburg, an initiative run by the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and co-founded by the European Union, Region Västra Götaland and several companies, universities and public organisations in the region.

In this episode, we continue our exploration of what it takes to build a truly circular textile and fashion system. 

We explore: 

• Our relationship with clothes 

• Designing for longevity and recycling 

• Over production and how digitalisation and automation could reduce overproduction 

• The role digitalisation and technology can play in creating a circular fashion / textile system 

• The importance of knowing what happens to clothes as we use them 

• Uplifting clothes to create a new secondhand market 

In this episode, we meet: 

• Lill Sjöberg— the designer and innovator behind Twood. 

• Ida Hördegårdh & Bella Sörborn from Lindex. 

• Kevin Gelsi from Nudie Jeans (interview Nov 2024). 

• Ellen Flybäck & Anett Aldman from Science Park Borås. 

• Marie Johnson from Rekotex. 

• Lovisa Nolander & Evelina Ingvarsson from XV Production. 

• Emil Pettersen from Reparell AB. 

 This podcast is made by Move to Gothenburg, an initiative run by the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and co-founded by the European Union region Västra Götaland and several companies, universities and public organisations in the region. 

In this episode, we meet with pioneers who are rethinking how we make, use, and reuse clothing, and what it will take to build a truly circular fashion system. 

 Discover: 

• What a circular textile and fashion system is 

• Why the financial system for textiles / fashion needs to change 

• Making clothes from waste products 

• Making new inventions from clothes waste 

In this episode, we meet: 

• Helena Andersson & Emil Pettersen from Reparell — a Gothenburg based company making clothes from ocean plastic waste and other recycled materials 

• Lovisa Nolander & Evelina Ingvarsson from XV Production — a microfactory in Borås with 10 years of experience in circular product development and remake production 

• Lill Sjöberg — a designer and innovator who transforms discarded denim into Twood, a brand new material with a lifespan of up to 30 years 

• Ellen Flybäck & Anett Aldman from Science Park Borås at the University of Borås — helping companies reimagine their business models and move towards circular solutions 

Context:  

The fashion and textile industry is one of the world's most polluting — responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 92 million tons of textile waste every year, and where less than 1% of clothing is ever recycled. 

But change is already happening. And much of it is being built right here in West Sweden. 

This podcast is made by Move to Gothenburg, an initiative run by the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce and co-founded by the European Union region Västra Götaland and several companies, universities and public organisations in the region.