#Recycling / Circular Economy

2024-05-23

Recycling Technologies. Next-Gen Fibers.

RE&UP pushes sustainable solutions further at Global Fashion Summit. The circulartech company reshapes the traditional textile-to-textile paradigm to bring to life sustainable solutions addressing the planet’s most pressing challenges.

The Global Fashion Summit convenes decision makers from brands, retailers, suppliers, policy and interlinked industries and it is the place to be for RE&UP to bring into the discussion how its unique ecosystem of recycling cotton, polyester and polycotton can reshape the traditional textile-to-textile paradigm.

Built upon the century-long textile heritage of SANKO, this new venture has engineered a unique and patented proprietary technology that is one-of-a-kind in its ability to separate polycotton blended materials into new pure materials for recycling. A combination of advanced thermochemical, thermomechanical and mechanical technologies, this solution is feedstock agnostic and broadens the scope of accessible waste streams.

The result is revolutionary Next-Gen Cotton and Next-Gen Polyester that offer performance on par with virgin options, including robust fiber length and full decolorization, while significantly reducing the environmental impact thanks to reduced water usage (~85%) and CO2 emissions (~85%) when compared to virgin materials. All of this, with immediate applicability for yarns, fabrics and garments today and at scale. RE&UP operates facilities in Turkiye, with more expected to open in Europe and Asia. The company aims to recycle over 200,000 tons of textile waste annually by 2025, with plans to expand to over 1 million tons globally by 2030.

This ambitious scale-up positions RE&UP at the forefront of sustainable transformation in the fashion industry. "At RE&UP, we are dedicated to fostering a more responsible and technologically advanced future for textiles and fashion," said Fatih Konukoglu, Chairman at RE&UP. "Enriched by parent company SANKO’s centenary knowledge in textile innovation, we are able to share a unique expertise bringing groundbreaking sustainability advancements to the table." RE&UP’s participation in the Global Fashion Summit highlights its commitment to driving positive change in the fashion industry, taking part in the fireside chat “Future Fibers: Enabling the Circular Model” with Mr. Fatih Konukoglu, and the panel “Unlocking Global Collaboration” with Ebru Ozkucuk Guler, Chief Sustainability Officer, to share the company’s innovative solutions and collaborative approach leading the way towards a more sustainable and circular future for textiles and fashion.

Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

RE&UP, the circular-tech transforming global textile waste into high-volume Next-Gen materials, has officially become a Certified B Corporation™. The milestone establishes the industrial recycler among a select group of manufacturing infrastructure providers verified as meeting B Lab Standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

RE&UP contributes to Global Fashion Summit 2026 circularity discussion

RE&UP contributed to the global conversation on textile circularity at Global Fashion Summit 2026 in Copenhagen, where Fatih Konukoğlu, Chairman of RE&UP and Vice Chairman of Sanko Holding, took part in both the keynote session “The New Rules” and the panel discussion “A Reckoning and Renewal for Circular Horizons”, alongside leaders from H&M Group, Looper Textile Co. and Sourcing Journal.

Creating a circular economy for fashion and textiles in the UAE

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accelerates its shift towards a circular economy, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is working to co-design and deliver a national textiles circularity policy framework as part of the country’s wider Naseej initiative, a Presidential-level programme to create a circular economy for fashion and textiles.

Indorama Ventures strengthens Packaging business through strategic circular PET partnership

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, today announced a strategic partnership through Indovida, Indorama Ventures’ packaging business segment, with Suntory Holdings Limited, Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Iwatani Corporation, to bring commercial-scale circular PET packaging to Thailand. The collaboration further strengthens Indorama Ventures’ downstream packaging platform while expanding its leadership in circular packaging solutions.

Managed workwear services are providing a blueprint for the circular textile economy

Managed workwear service providers are demonstrating how commercial success and circularity can go hand in hand by extending garment lifespans through repair, laundering, reuse and recycling, according to “Managed workwear services—a circular textile economy ahead of the game”, a new 14‑page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.