#Recycling / Circular Economy

2021-11-18

H&M Group launches circular design tool “Circulator”

H&M Group is on a journey to become circular and climate positive. With the launch of an innovative circular design tool “Circulator”, H&M Group underlines its ambition to have all its products designed for circularity by 2025. The tool not only aims to enable H&M Group’s own teams to create products fit for a circular economy but will in the long-term invite others to do the same.

By 2025, H&M Group aims to have 100% of its brands’ products designed for circularity – from the drawing board all the way through the multiple loops of a circular ecosystem. The Circulator shall raise awareness and reduce the complexity and subjectivity of circular design decisions. It has been developed with guidance of a broad range of internal and external experts, such as Global Change Award winner circular.fashion, and will support the realisation of Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s vision of a circular fashion industry. By making the tool available to others in the coming years, H&M Group wants to equally share and gather knowledge and learnings with others, to jointly support the industry’s transition towards a circular economy.

We contributed to the development of the Circulator with our experience of circular design and recycling projects, as well as insights from our developed tools and frameworks such as our Circular Design Criteria and Scoring and we are excited about this exchange, amplifying each other’s expertise, experiences and tools to arrive at common industry consensus on product circularity, actionable solutions and leverage collaborative impact.

Jonna Haeggblom, Circular Design Strategy Lead at circular.fashion

We need to transform how we design and produce our products in order to meet our ambitious circular and climate goals. We also recognize the need to accelerate industry transformation and the Circulator tool will support both. Collaboration is the only way forward and we want to show leadership in the transition towards circular fashion.

Helena Helmersson, CEO H&M Group

The Circulator consists of two parts: a downloadable guide and a digital scoring tool. With the first launch of the downloadable guide in autumn 2021, H&M Group wants to invite everyone to co-create and learn together. The feedback and practical learnings from this first launch phase of the tool will contribute to the development of the scoring tool, which will be launched in the coming years and piloted with industry partners. With PVH Corp. and ASOS we already have strong partners on our side that share our ambitions to drive change in this space through industry collaboration.

To enable a real industry change, we need to collaborate and jointly work on innovative solutions. We feel the sense of urgency, which our industry as a whole is facing, and we want to learn together to fast track the industry’s transition to a circular economy. We value progress over perfection – we know we don’t have all the answers, but we will learn on the way and it’s time to turn words into action.

Sarah Hayes, Business Expert for Circularity at H&M Group

Offering customers easy and assessable ways to prolong the lifecycle of their clothes has been on H&M Group’s agenda for a while but circular thinking starts way before that. All our brands have their own in-house design teams who share the mission to create new inspiring designs and products that allow our customers to enjoy fashion in a more sustainable way. Making conscious choices is part of every decision making along the design process of a garment, focusing on three main impact areas: environmental impact, durability and recyclability. A process that is now simplified and supported by this innovative digital tool.

We see our teams experiencing a real a-ha moment when they use this tool. Being part of the industry, we’re all increasingly aware of its negative impact on the environment and the challenges our planet is facing. Being able to take practical steps to change how products are made and used and contributing to our climate goals is really empowering.

Sarah Hayes, Business Expert for Circularity at H&M Group

By the end of 2021, H&M will launch a complete collection of clothes which have been designed with the help of the tool.

Performance Apparels: Functional textiles drive innovation at Techtextil 2026

From high-performance fibres and advanced membranes to smart textiles and sustainable material concepts – functional apparel is becoming one of the most dynamic innovation fields in technical textiles. At Techtextil 2026, exhibitors demonstrate how new materials, finishing technologies and digital functions are shaping the next generation of protective, workwear and outdoor systems.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI reshape textile processing

Investment decisions in textile processing have become increasingly complex. Rising energy prices, labour shortages and geopolitical uncertainties are forcing companies to prioritise technologies that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and process stability. This applies not only to apparel production, but also to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. Modernisation projects are therefore being evaluated more selectively – but the pressure to upgrade production systems continues to grow. Texprocess 2026 reflects this tension between cautious investment behaviour and increasing technological demand.

Textile Chemicals & Dyes: Innovation in Textile Chemistry moves into focus at Techtextil 2026

From PFAS-free finishes and water-saving dyeing technologies to advanced coatings and recycling-compatible formulations, innovation in textile chemistry is accelerating across the industry. Reflecting this development, Techtextil 2026 introduces Textile Chemicals & Dyes as a dedicated product segment, highlighting the growing role of chemical solutions in shaping the next generation of technical textiles.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 to showcase innovations – Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts is now open for the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2026, taking place on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany, and online. Europe’s leading platform for advanced recycling brings together hands-on solutions and cutting-edge research on recycling technologies for various waste streams like plastics, polymers, textiles or automotive, highlighting progress towards a circular renewable carbon economy.

Europe needs tipping point to scale textile-to-textile recycling, BCG and ReHubs say

A new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and ReHubs, titled “Advancing Textile Circularity – Europe’s textile waste challenge: Scaling Textile-to-Textile requires enabling mechanisms”, highlights the urgent need for systemic action to tackle Europe’s growing textile waste and scale a circular textile economy.

Freudenberg Performance Materials presents Mehlerheytex and Filc at Techtextil 2026

Freudenberg Performance Materials will showcase textile innovations that increase efficiency, performance and sustainability in industry and mobility at Techtextil 2026. For the first time since the merger of Mehler Texnologies and Heytex, the MehlerHeytex brand will make its debut as a leading expert in coated technical textiles. Moreover, Freudenberg Performance Materials Filc (Filc), specialist for advanced needlepunch nonwovens and laminated materials, will present its groundbreaking solutions for automotive applications. Filc customers can benefit from the perfect combination of functionality, comfort and sustainability. The Freudenberg Performance Materials experts are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the trade fair at Stand A11 in Hall 11.0 from April 21 – 24, 2026.

Fraunhofer IAP paves the way for "Green" carbon fibers

A new pilot plant in Guben is set to enable the production of bio-based carbon fibers. The plant is part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz and will make an important contribution to the transformation of the Lausitz region—from a traditionally raw material- and basic industry-oriented region to a hub for innovative high-performance materials. The German federal government and the state of Brandenburg are providing the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP with 53.3 million euros for this purpose.