SALESIANER honoured as a ‘Circular Pioneer’

The SALESIANER Group was awarded the jury’s special prize, ‘Circular Pioneer’, at the Circular Innovation Award Austria 2026. The prize recognises companies that embed the circular economy in their business model and further develop it through innovative approaches.

The special prize was awarded in recognition of SALESIANER’s long-established textile rental model. This model focuses on providing, caring for, maintaining and reusing textiles throughout their entire life cycle. Thanks to professional care, regular quality controls, repairs and long life cycles, textiles remain in use for an extended period.

Another key focus is on developing solutions for managing textiles at the end of their life cycle. Together with partners, SALESIANER is working on initiatives to recover fibres from used textiles and utilise them in new applications.

The Circular Innovation Award Austria was presented for the first time in 2026 at the Haus der Industrie in Vienna. From 57 entries, an international jury selected five category winners and two special prize winners. The award was accepted on behalf of SALESIANER by Managing Director and CFO Johann Kandelsdorfer.

Photos: Rafael Haider / Circular Economy Forum Austria