A cross-industrial collaboration inked last year to reimagine materials and redefine the future of sustainable production, has succeeded in developing new regenerated cellulose fibre with a silk-like sheen from waste cotton fabric through a new production process. It could also help to increase the total clothing recycling rate.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: Developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) and Seiko Epson Corporation, the regenerated cellulose fibre is expected to have both a smooth, silky sheen and the strength of cotton.
- This fibre is expected to be used in high-end materials such as scarves, neckties, and suit linings.
- Since the short fibres that occur during the regenerated fibre production process can also be used rather than discarded, as was usually the case, this regeneration process can help to increase the total clothing recycling rate.
HKRITA and Epson have been conducting research and development on regenerated fibres since signing a joint development agreement in January 2024. They will continue to combine their advanced technologies to accelerate the adoption of regenerated fibres.
THE PROCESS: This new process was made possible by integrating Epson's proprietary Dry Fibre Technology for defibrating textiles with HKRITA's fibre-dissolving technology.
The process involves:
- defibrating discarded cotton fabric into a powder-like state,
- dissolving the cotton in a solvent, and
- extruding it through a nozzle into a coagulation bath, where it solidifies and is spun into fibre.
Information about the work under this joint development project will be exhibited at the Textiles Recycling Expo 2025, to be held in Brussels, Belgium, from 4 June 2025.
THE CONTEXT: To address societal issues surrounding textile waste, a movement toward using fibres recycled from discarded clothing has been gaining momentum, driven by a growing recognition of waste clothing as a global environmental issue. In Europe in particular, a move is under way to use more regenerated fibre and reduce textile waste.
THE PLAYERS:
Established in 2006, HKRITA is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government and hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
- By providing one-stop services for applied research, technology transfer and commercialisation, HKRITA makes sustained efforts to promote successful projects for industry application.
Epson, a global technology leader, is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle.
- Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
- Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion.
WHAT THEY SAID:
As an applied research centre, HKRITA is dedicated to solving real-world problems and enhancing current practices and products. We are thrilled to collaborate with Epson to recycle fibres and repurpose them into high-quality yarns. This cross-industrial collaboration is not only reimagining materials but also redefining the future of sustainable production.
— Jake Koh
Chief Executive Officer
Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel
We are extremely pleased with the results that this joint development project has yielded. The selective application of this new wet process and our previously developed dry process should enable fibre to be regenerated from all waste cotton fabrics while reducing environmental impact.
— Satoshi Hosono
Executive Officer (Global Environmental Strategy Promotion Office)
Seiko Epson Corporation
