This partnership aims to drive innovation in the field of textile dyeing and finishing by combining Shein's expertise in digital supply chain management with Transfar Chemicals' knowledge in functional chemistry.
Mainly, the alliance will concentrate on advancing the digitalisation of textile finishing and dyeing processes to minimise energy and water consumption as well as carbon emissions.
It will focus on creating novel functional textiles and apparel that align with contemporary consumer demands, such as stretchable fabrics and materials that repel water.
Finally, the collaboration will establish new testing protocols for textile materials and garments to ensure uniformity in safety, quality, and performance evaluations.
Shein's supply chain platform will be instrumental in tracking demand for these advanced textiles, while Transfar Chemicals will support the development of new processes, materials and textile production and dyeing method that cuts waste, energy and water.
Furthermore, Shein aims to rejuvenate the textile dyeing and finishing sector by promoting collaborations between Transfar Chemicals and local textile enterprises, thereby facilitating the adoption of Transfar's research outcomes.
This initiative will help the fashion brand to address the growing demand for high-quality textiles while staying relevant of industry trends, notes Shein.
Shein said it has been actively refining its digitalised, demand-driven supply chain to mitigate surplus inventory by curtailing textile waste from inception. Concurrently, the company is incorporating practices like polyester recycling and waterless printing into its operations.
In January this year, Shein announced a breakthrough polyester recycling technique developed in collaboration with Donghua University.
This technique can process a broader array of materials, including textile remnants and PET bottles, offering enhanced cost-effectiveness over existing recycled polyester options utilised in SHEIN's product range.
Preliminary assessments by the research team suggest that the recycled polyester fabric generated via this method can undergo multiple recycling cycles without significantly degrading its material characteristics.
Efforts are underway at Shein to upscale this technology from a laboratory environment to a commercial-scale production facility capable of generating recycled polyester fibres.
Last month, Shein reportedly prepared to adjust its valuation to approximately $50bn ahead of the initial public offering in London, UK as an expert warns the end of US duty exemption will hit its profitability.
