NOTTINGHAM – Japanese sportswear brand ASICS Europe and German outdoor textiles specialist Sympatex are just some of the new names to join founder members H&M and Kering in the Worn Again Technologies pioneer members’ programme.
The initiative, which now also includes German linen supplier Dibella, US brand Dhana and Mexican textile and garment suppliers Directex and Himes guarantees members access to certain volumes of recycled raw material from the UK textile technology specialist, which can separate, decontaminate and extract polyester polymers and cellulose (from cotton) from non-reusable textiles, as well as plastic bottles and packaging. The extracted raw materials can then go back into new fibre as part of a repeatable process that fits in with circular economy principles.
“From the early days of development, we knew that working with strategic partners would be the most effective way to bring our vision to reality,” says Cyndi Rhoades, CEO and Founder of Worn Again Technologies. “We have been building the technology and the infrastructure for this solution over the last eight years, but the brands and companies selling products will play a huge role in enabling us to deliver circular resources to the global textiles industry.”
