The sustainable wear2wearTM concept is synonymous with high-quality, responsible clothing. In European operations, textile fibres from used garments are used to produce new functional fabrics. Depending upon the area of intended use, they also meet strict waterproofing, breathability, protection and comfort requirements. To ensure that the raw material cycle comes full circle, these textiles can be fully recycled again when they reach the end of their service life. As a result, there is no waste, and they go on to produce new garments. All those involved in this network ensure that – from the quality of the raw materials to the guaranteed recycling end process – these are 100 percent recyclable, functional fabrics made of recycled textile fibres. Water- and dirt-repelling technologies based on renewable raw materials, along with the most advanced membrane technology, will ensure that the textiles are manufactured and impregnated entirely without the use of PFC in the future too. 

Closing the textile loop together 

The eight European core partner companies in the wear2wearTM cooperation cover the entire recycling loop. Heinrich Glaeser Nachfolger GmbH is a German fibre and yarn producer and the “recycler” in the loop. Märkische Faser GmbH (D) is the “upcycler” and fibre manufacturer. Carl Weiske GmbH & Co. KG (D) develops the polymers, fibres, yarns, chemical additives and textile systems, and TWD Fibres GmbH (D), a fully-integrated filament yarn producer, covers the entire range of polyester and polyamide 6.6 continuous filament yarns. Schoeller Textil AG, the innovative Swiss company, is responsible for textile production and manufactures sustainable high-tech fabrics with maximum clothing comfort. 

The matching climate-neutral and similarly 100 percent recyclable PTFE and PFC-free membrane, as well as recycled outer materials and linings, are supplied by Sympatex Technologies (D), the ecological alternative among the textile function specialists. DutchSpirit is a Dutch company dedicated to environment-friendly clothing. Its mission is to increase the awareness for sustainable clothing and offer recyclable clothing in the workwear segment. DutchSpirit is the initiator for the development of the Inspire products from Schoeller Textil and provided the inspiration for the wear2wearTM concept. As a sustainable large-scale laundry, the Germany company CWS GmbH (D) not only collects, washes and distributes workwear but also designs and manufactures its own collection of protective workwear. 

The Belgian partner company Decontex cleans contaminated workwear by means of a unique process in which the clothing is cleaned using liquid CO2. Liquid CO2 penetrates the deepest fibres of the exposed textiles, loosening and removing the harmful and toxic particles. As a technology partner, mention should be made of Climatex AG (CH) which contributes the patented textile screw. This allows different materials to be joined and detached again. This technology permits mono-material separation of what to date had been non-homogonous textile materials. Further system partners are the companies BTK (RUS), which tailors the inspire fabrics from Schoeller into clothing, and other Schoeller customers – among them, Free Circle (FL), Anchor Workwear BV (NL), Hüsler Berufskleider AG (CH), Bedrijfskledingdiscounter BV (NL), and Rifka'S (NL).