The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited (HKRITA) and Seiko Epson Corporation will together develop an innovative fibre recycling solution.
- This will be done by applying HKRITA’s expertise to Epson’s proprietary Dry Fibre Technology.
- An agreement to this effect was signed on 18 January 2024, and will build on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two entities in March 2023.
THE PARTNERSHIP: By combining their distinct strengths, HKRITA and Seiko Epson Corporation intend to unlock transformative solutions that will address the interconnected issues of climate change.
- Seiko Epson Corporation will use its Dry Fibre Technology to establish a defibrating process on elastic blended and/or tightly weave fabrics while HKRITA will provide technical support in recycling and evaluate the recycling performance in terms of materials properties.
- The innovation aims to provide speedy recycling solution for industry application.
- The partnership is committed to extending the lifecycle of materials, promoting a circular economy that minimises waste and maximises resource efficiency in the textiles industry.
- The outcomes of the collaboration are intended to benefit not only the industry but society as a whole. By leveraging their collective expertise, the two organisations want to make a tangible impact on addressing climate change and contribute to a more sustainable future.
THE TECHNOLOGY: Spurred by a growing recognition of global environmental issues, a trend toward using recycled fibres from unwanted clothing has been gaining steam, particularly in Europe, where countries are moving to increase the ratio of recycled fibres used and limit the use of petroleum-derived synthetic fibres.
- Currently, a machine called a garnett is commonly used in the textile recycling process to separate the fibres in waste material. However, garnetts are unable to effectively separate the fibres of some of the most common textiles in the apparel market, such as tightly weave fabrics used for dress shirts and bed sheets and elastic blended fabrics used for functional clothing.
- Epson seeks to solve this problem by using its Dry Fibre Technology to establish a process for defibrating elastic blended fabrics and tightly woven fabrics. The aim is to provide a new solution for recycling clothing fibres by entering into a joint development agreement with HKRITA.
- This solution will be able to help greatly accelerate the use of recycled fibres by making it possible to separate fibres from challenging textiles such as functional clothing, sheets, and dress shirts, as well as from factory mill ends, unsold items of clothing, and unwanted apparel. Epson aims to establish the technology as soon as possible and implement it in the real world.
- Dry Fibre Technology, independently developed by Epson, enables the creation of new value from post-consumer paper, wood, clothing, and other fibrous waste and used products. It is one of the core technologies around which Epson is building an environmental business.
WHAT THEY SAID:
We always strive to maximize the impact of our technologies. This collaboration facilitates a more comprehensive approach to sustainability, allowing the two organisations to develop integrated solution that goes beyond the limitation of a single industry and uncovers synergistic opportunities.
— Edwin Keh
Chief Executive Officer
Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel
There’s a growing global movement to use recycled textiles. We’re collaborating with the renowned textile and apparel research institute HKRITA to apply our unique Dry Fibre Technology to develop technologies that will allow the recycling of clothing/textile that would previously have been discarded. Our aim is to provide new textile recycling solutions that will respond to growing demands from people around the world.
— Satoru Hosono
Deputy General Administrative Manager, Technology Development Division
Seiko Epson Corporation
