The new lab, located in Hong Kong’s Advanced Manufacturing Centre, spans 1,800 square meters and is dedicated to the research and development of sustainable textile solutions. Jeanologia explained that the lab is designed to bridge the gap between research-phase innovations and their practical application in textile production.
The facility is expected to host over 80 projects focused on sustainability and serve as a meeting point for brands, manufacturers, and suppliers to develop scalable technologies that promote greater circularity and efficiency in the industry.
Jeanologia, aligned with HKRITA’s values, stated that it will contribute its technology and R&D expertise to advance the Green Machine project as part of the Open Lab ecosystem.
Enrique Silla, CEO and founder of Jeanologia, views the creation of the Open Lab as a unique opportunity to unite brands, manufacturers, and suppliers in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.
He expressed optimism about the partnership, stating: "We are confident that, together with HKRITA and the H&M Foundation, we will make significant strides toward a more circular and efficient textile future."
Jeanologia further highlighted that the new Open Lab, funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong government and housed at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, aims to become a global leader in applied research and industrial solutions for sustainability.
At the heart of the facility is the Pilot Plant, an industrial-scale recycling line designed for demonstrations and technology testing. The lab also features the Green Machine 2.0, which separates polyester fibres from PET-cotton blended textiles at scale, with the capacity to recycle up to one ton of material daily.
The Open Lab is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024, cementing its status as one of the "world’s most advanced" centres for sustainable textile technology R&D.
Jeanologia emphasised the importance of collaboration in overcoming the sector's sustainability challenges. "We firmly believe that the future of fashion will be eco-efficient, and through partnerships like this one, we are building that future today," said Silla, adding, "technological innovation is key to solving the industry’s most urgent challenges."
Recently, Jeanologia in collaboration with Archroma and Kipaş Denim, created contra denim, which uses new technology to create distressed effects and intricate patterns with cleaner processes that save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
