Through the partnership, both organisations commit to extending the life cycle of materials, promoting a circular economy that minimises waste and maximises resource efficiency in the textile industry.
HKRITA explained that Epson will use its dry fibre technology to establish a defibrating process on elastic blended and/or tightly woven fabrics. HKRITA will provide technical support on recycling and evaluate the recycling performance in terms of materials properties.
The innovation aims to provide a quick recycling solution for the textiles and apparel industry.
HKRITA says the collaboration is poised to unlock transformative solutions that will address the interconnected issues of climate change with Epson. The collaboration follows a Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies in March 2023.
Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA, expressed his enthusiasm for the power of cross-industrial collaboration. He said: "We always strive to maximise the impact of our technologies. This collaboration facilitates a more comprehensive approach to sustainability, allowing the two organisations to develop integrated solution that goes beyond the limitation of a single industry and uncovers synergistic opportunities."
Satoru Hosono, deputy general administrative manager of Epson’s technology development division, added: "There’s a growing global movement to use recycled textiles. We’re collaborating with the renowned textile and apparel research institute HKRITA to apply our unique dry fibre technology to develop technologies that will allow the recycling of clothing/textile that would previously have been discarded. Our aim is to provide new textile recycling solutions that will respond to growing demands from people around the world."
By leveraging their collective expertise, the two organisations hope to have a tangible impact on climate change, contributing to a more sustainable future. They believe this collaboration could benefit not only the textiles and apparel industry but society as a whole.
