The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) and Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) have announced a major breakthrough in fiber recycling, a regenerated cellulose fiber with a luxurious, silk-like sheen.

“This partnership is a significant step in rethinking materials and reshaping the future of sustainable production,” said Jake Koh, CEO of HKRITA. “By turning waste fibers into high-quality yarns, we're directly addressing global sustainability challenges.”

The innovation stems from the integration of Epson’s Dry Fiber Technology, which mechanically breaks down fabrics without water, and HKRITA’s proprietary fiber-dissolving process. This hybrid wet-and-dry technique enables the transformation of even hard-to-recycle cotton fabrics into regenerated fibers with minimal environmental impact.

Satoshi Hosono, Executive Officer at Epson, emphasized the technology’s potential: “With this selective wet process and our dry method, we can tackle textile waste comprehensively while reducing ecological damage.”