Foto: Ingrid Varov / SEI
In November 2024, representatives from EKA and SEI Tallinn visited the Rivatex textile factory in Kenya as part of the UPMADE project. A newly completed video now introduces the project “Transferring UPMADE know-how to Kenya” (2023–2025) in more detail.
The goal of the project was to apply the Estonian science- and design-based UPMADE model in Kenya’s garment industry, aligning production with the principles of the circular economy and upcycling. The method helps factories analyze their waste to understand which materials can be reused. This enables the calculation of the environmental footprint of a regular product versus one made from recycled materials.
The UPMADE system was developed by fashion designer and EKA senior researcher Reet Aus in collaboration with SEI Tallinn.
As a result of the work, two in-depth reports were completed on Rivatex’s current situation and sustainable solutions. By the end of the project, Rivatex was awarded the UPMADE certificate.
Participants from EKA who took part in the visit to the Rivatex textile factory included:
Reet Aus (Senior Researcher), Anna Lohmatova (DiMa Project Manager), Riina Õun (Coordinator – GreenCCIrcle Project Specialist), Mariliis Haljasorg (PhD Student – Junior Researcher), and Harri Moora (Environmental Policy and Sustainable Production Specialist at the DiMa Lab).
More about the project:
EKA DiMa – Laboratory of Sustainable Design and Materials
SEI Tallinn – Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre
Partners:
- Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn (Estonia)
- Moi University (Kenya)
The project was funded by the Estonian Ministry of Climate through international climate cooperation resources.
