It ain't fashion, if it ain't sustainable

Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel

Textile Recycling / Green Machine

17 October 2022

6 minutes

The Green Machine is licensed by HKRITA at cost price, meaning it only covers their costs with no extra margins. For H&M Foundation and HKRITA this open-source approach is key to reach maximum impact and to transform the fashion industry.

HKRITA’s Green Machine is Breakthrough that Recycling of Blended Textiles Needed, at Scale

The ITMF award that the Green Machine received in September is only the latest feather in its decorated cap. Developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), the Green Machine has been making waves since its launch in 2016. Katherine Chan, Director (Business Development) at HKRITA, talks about the challenges that had to be encountered, and the excitement that the Green Machine has generated.

Subir Ghosh

Interview

ITMF Awards / Green Machine

21 September 2022

2 minutes

Green Machine is a polyester and cellulose recycling system by hydrothermal treatment and dissolution treatment on cotton and polyester blends. Through decomposing cotton into cellulose powders, it enables the separation of the polyester fibres from the blends. The quality of the polyester fibres is maintained, permitting fibre-to-fibre recycling.

HKRITA Gets ITMF Award for Green Machine, Its 5th Award Since 2016 Launch

The Green Machine of the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has won an ITMF Award for Sustainability and Innovation. Through separation of the blended textile, Green Machine recovers PET fibre for re-spinning, even as it converts cotton fibre into cellulosic powder for a number of uses.

Staff Writer

Leatherwear / Regeneration

29 July 2022

2 minutes

The reaction process retains the chromium as chromium III, thereby minimising its conversion to chromium VI. The regenerated leather has sufficient mechanical properties to allow it to be used in the manufacture of new leather products.

HKRITA Regenerates Bio-based Leather from Leather Waste

A novel bio-based approach to obtaining sheets of regenerated leather has been developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) that separates, categorises and recycles post-consumer leather products.

Staff Writer

Recycling / G2G System

17 June 2022

6 minutes

The recycling process can be configured in a 40-foot container, including the 3-in-1 Integrated Opening-Cleaning-Carding System with AI algorithms to optimise the system.

HKRITA Shows Garment-to-Garment Recycling Can Be Done, But Industry Yet to Catch Up

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel's (HKRITA) novel Garment-to-Garment (G2G) Recycle System shows that integral and closed-loop garment recycling can indeed be done, and sans any water and chemicals, but no big-time manufacturer or brand has been able to use this innovation at the industrial or mass scale. A texfash.com Special.

Subir Ghosh

Report

Innovation / Mastectomy Bra

2 May 2022

2 minutes

A series of trials are arranged to collect wearers’ feedback during the research. The3D-printed removable bra pad can mimic age- and BMI-related breast density and provide a better fitting bra pad for wearers

HKRITA Develops Customised Comfort Bra to Aid Recovery from Mastectomy

Patients recovering from breast cancer may wear a mastectomy bra with an external breast prosthesis to recreate their natural feminine silhouette and minimise body imbalance. But, Asian patients may find it difficult to buy a well-fitting prosthesis because those designs are typically based on western models. An innovation from HKRITA solves that problem.