The city of Prato, located in Tuscany near Florence, has almost 200,000 inhabitants and has established itself as an important centre of the textile industry in Central Europe. This development ranges from the beginnings of wool production to specialisation in textile recycling and today's role as a global textile centre. Prato is not only an example of industrial change, but also of the resilience and adaptability of traditional production methods in a constantly changing global economy.
Prato specialised in wool production as early as the Middle Ages. The town benefited from its geographical location and the natural resources in the surrounding area, which provided an ideal basis for textile production. Over the centuries, Prato developed into an important production centre for wool and wool products. In the 19th century, Prato began to specialise in the recycling of textiles. Pre- and post-consumer textiles were sorted manually by specialised personnel known as cenciaioli. The ability to identify the fibre composition by touch alone required years of experience and shaped the quality of the recycling process at Prato. The mechanical processing of the textile surfaces by ripping rollers and the subsequent spinning process produced high-quality recycled materials characterised by high resistance, elasticity and strength.

As part of the work at Lottozero textile laboratories, various production sites within Prato’s renowned industrial district were visited. The region’s longstanding expertise in wool spinning, recycling, and weaving remains clearly visible. Conversations with local workers revealed the challenges faced by the textile industry. These photographs show materials, labor and steps of textile production in Prato.