End of March 2014, the Swedish retail-clothing company H&M went into partnership with the French group Kering, world leader in accessories and clothing (from Saint Laurent to Gucci and Puma...) in order to test a brand new technology of textile manufacturing made from recycled fibers. Created by the British start up Worn Again, this technique allows to separate then extract the polyester and cotton from the used textiles and clothes in order to produce new fabrics thereafter. This deconstruction process, which will be tested this year on H&M and Puma supply chains, allows to eliminate colorants and other contaminating agents. Once separated, the polyester and cellulose contained in the cotton can be used to produce new fabrics, establishing a circular model for textiles. According to Kering's press release of March 31st 2015, it is a "solution capable of acting as part of the polyester derived from petroleum in order to provide a new source of raw materials with light environmental impact for fibers and fabrics containing cellulose". A new kind of sustainable raw materials for an ethical and eco-responsive fashion, which may yet prove to be a solution to the issue of textile waste disposal.

Jacket from the "Close The Loop" collection in recycled textile © H&M

H&M
Kering

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