THALYS insulates its new headquarters with its old uniforms

CEPOVETT Group is working on a new project for the renewal of the Thalys uniforms, transforming used clothing into sound and heat insulation. To accompany the launch of its new uniform, the railway company has launched a campaign to collect old uniforms. This recycling operation was an opportunity to educate and raise awareness among Thalys employees about the reuse and recovery of used textiles.

The latter were personally involved in the collection. The clothes recovered are recycled via a social economy structure - Le Relais / Emmaus - in the north of France, and transformed into eco-material for housing insulation, thanks to the acoustic, thermal and hygrometric qualities of textile fibres. The garments are cut, chopped, defibred and then mixed with thermofusible fibres to form insulation boards or rolls.

Called Métisse, this new 100% ecological insulation can replace glass wool. This initiative supported by Thalys is an exemplary illustration of the recycling of end-of-life clothing and anchors the company in the circular economy.