East of the Netherlands

Oost NL (Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Oost-Nederland NV) focuses its activities and projects on strengthening and stimulating the economy of the provinces of Gelderland andOverijssel (East Netherlands). We support innovative SME businesses and work closely with regional institutes, knowledge institutes,and intermediaries. Oost NL acts as a bridge between government, innovative companies and knowledge institutes.

East Netherlands is a hotspot for innovation in agri-food, health, high-tech and circularity with an extensive ecosystem of innovation-minded private and public actors, a large and well-trained multilingual labour pool and consistent support from local and regionalgovernments. This is reflected in the Th!nk East Netherlands regional policy strategy, where circularity and sustainability of resourcesare among the focus areas. Moreover, the region is home for a strong cluster furniture, carpentry and curtains producers.

ETS (Enschede Textielstad Innovatie B.V.) is a small-scale industrial textile development centre and weaving mill in NL that produces garment and interiortextiles with local and/or recycled yarns.

The way ETS works is based on the following core values:

1. Craftsmanship
   
   Maintaining and increasing knowledge about textile production in the region. Find new application areas for sustainable and circulartextiles, and innovate how textiles are used in offices.
   
    
2. Local production
   
   Their fabrics are woven in Enschede, using locally sourced sustainable and circular yarns. The ready-made products, e.g.tea towels,cushions and plaids are manufactured at local workshops with a social objective.
   
    
3. Sustainability & circularity
   
   ETS develops and weaves fabrics for various applications using recycled and natural raw materials. They do not dye or bleach their fabrics and produce on demand. They also advise partners about the most circular way to use our fabrics (e.g. not gluing it on polyurethanfoam).