H&M Foundation and Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited (HKRITA) has developed technology that can recycle blend textiles, will be implemented in Cambodia to tackle textile waste. Labelled as ‘The Green Machine’ – it will be implemented in Cambodia by 2022.
H&M says that the hydrothermal recycling process is the first to be able to separate and recycle mixed cotton and polyester fibres at large quantity without quality loss. And it will be used in the country from next year, subject to a feasibility study.
This will create circular practices within the industry, with important partners in the production brought together to assess the industrial scale development of the project.
The Cambodian project is financed by an international consortium which, as well as the H&M Foundation and HKRITA, includes German development agency GIZ’s Fabric project, The North Face owner VF Corp, Hong Kong garment maker Dakota Industrial and Cambodian company Chip Mong Insee.
Edwin Keh, CEO, HKRITA said “Our aim is to develop technologies and solutions that can have a positive impact on our planet, and the Green Machine is an excellent example of that.”
“The continuously growing demand for this solution will drive change and generate value for the entire fashion and textile industry,” Keh added.
