Worn Again Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with the newly formed Alliance of Textile Chemical Recyclers (ACTR) that strongly aligns with its mission to reintegrate discarded materials into the supply chain, marking a notable departure from the traditional linear textile industry.
This collaboration with the ACTR is set to be a game-changer in offering the textile industry an authoritative voice on chemical recycling. The ACTR’s primary objective is to inform the industry about the intricacies of textile chemical recycling.
ACTR and Worn Again Technologies plan to achieve this through educational initiatives, outreach programs, and active engagement. The first step in this endeavour is the creation of a comprehensive dictionary of common terms, designed to educate the industry about the vital process of chemically recycling textiles.
The partnership is driven by a collective goal to advocate for chemical recycling solutions that will significantly reduce the amount of textile waste ending up in landfills and incinerators. It also seeks to ensure a consistent supply of sustainably sourced circular materials, promoting a more environmentally responsible approach.
Furthermore, the collaboration will extend support to brands and retailers in their efforts to diminish their carbon footprints, contributing to a more sustainable industry overall.
A tangible symbol of this commitment is the establishment of a cutting-edge textile recycling demonstration facility in Winterthur, Switzerland. This facility is designed to divert a substantial 1,000 tonnes of textiles away from incineration every year.
“We formed this collective to move chemical recycling technology forward, share common definitions, and address policies in a collaborative way to maximise the elimination of textile waste to landfills and incineration,” commented Karla Magruder, Founder and President of Accelerating Circularity, adding, “Chemical recycling technology has many benefits, including quality more similar to virgin fibre and the ability to recycle multiple times.”
Erik Koep, CEO at Worn Again Technologies, commented, “Becoming a member of the ACTR underscores our commitment to revolutionising the textile industry. The potential of chemical recycling is vast, promising end products with quality akin to virgin fibres and the opportunity for further reuse. As leading experts in the chemical recycling of textiles, we bring technical know-how that will help drive impactful outreach activities across the industry. Together, we’re not just imagining a world without textile waste, we’re actively helping to build it.”
