#Recycling / Circular Economy

2021-04-29

‘Circular Innovation Challenge’ Competition Launched International Organizations Partner with Indorama Ventures to build Circular

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global chemical producer and recycler, launched ‘The Circular Innovation Challenge’ together with partners including SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability; SDG Lab: School of Global Studies at Thammasat University; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Enabling Young Innovators to Solve Environmental Challenges for Society

The competition invites young people (ages 16-30) to create innovative and practical ideas addressing the circular economy, the mismanagement of plastic waste and hygiene issues to win prizes totalling 200,000 baht. Contestants will also have a chance to develop their innovations through workshops advised by experts from leading international organizations.

Yash Lohia, Chief Sustainability Officer at Indorama Ventures, said, “We are proud to support the Circular Innovation Challenge competition to give young people the tools and space to build the circular economy of tomorrow, as well as to learn first-hand from experts. We hope this project will create greater understanding of the circular economy in Thailand and promote the benefits of using recycled products. Great innovations make the circular economy go round, just like our PET bottle recycling keeps products in the economy and out of the environment. For example, we are the first Thai company to successfully recycle PET bottles into yarns to make medical-grade PPE coveralls, which are washable, reusable and replace single-use ones.”

As the world’s largest PET producer and recycler, Indorama Ventures believes that recycling is at the heart of a circular economy and is a practical approach to waste reduction. We have partnered with numerous local and international organizations to support increased use of recycled products. The company has set a goal to increase its recycling capacity to give new life to 50 billion PET bottles per year by 2025.

Assistant Professor Dr. Prapaporn Tivayanond Mongkhonvanit, Dean of the School of Global Studies and initiator of the Circular Innovation Challenge competition under SDG Lab: School of Global Studies, said, “The Circular Innovation Challenge competition aims to build awareness of circular economies in Thailand and provide necessary skills for young innovators to develop solutions that have a positive impact on society and the environment. This project is hosted in a Hackathon format, in which participants compete to brainstorm ideas within a time limit to solve waste management problems. Each team of 3-5 members will work together to design solutions towards a sustainable zero-waste society within 1 month. Participants will also join workshops led by Youth Co: Lab to build knowledge and develop skills for creating social innovations, as well as to gain experience from international experts. In the final round, 10 items will be presented to the judges. The winning teams will be awarded prizes valued at a total of 200,000 baht and given an opportunity to develop their projects for practical and commercial use.”

Renaud Meyer, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP Thailand, said, “Waste issues constitute a growing threat to our environment and human wellbeing, affecting in particular marine resources, terrestrial biodiversity and public health. While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the vulnerabilities of current waste management systems and infrastructures to fluctuations in waste generation, it also presents us an opportunity to rebuild using more sustainable models, create green and resilient livelihoods, and advance innovation. At UNDP, we believe that innovation can play an essential role in addressing waste management issues and that’s why, in Thailand, we have been providing technical and financial support to projects led by young social entrepreneurs and communities to test innovative approaches and practices for waste management through a circular economy approach. The circular economy concept not only offers us a pathway to more sustainable resource management but also helps deliver many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 12 on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.”

Find information and updates of the Circular Innovation Challenge competition at?:

https://www.facebook.com/tucircularinnovation

https://sgs.tu.ac.th/tucircularinnovation

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.

Carbios confirms Longlaville plant in France following financing progress

Carbios has reaffirmed its plans to build its Longlaville plant in France within a project financing framework, targeting the start of production in the first half of 2028. The company also reports a solid cash position of around €60 million at the end of 2025 and has appointed Benoît Grenot as Deputy Chief Executive Officer to support the execution of its strategic projects.

ABB and Syre partner to explore technologies for industrial-scale textile recycling

ABB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swedish textile impact company Syre to jointly explore technologies to support the development of Syre’s first textile-to-textile recycling plant in Vietnam. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to investigate how ABB’s automation, electrification and digital technologies could contribute to safe, efficient and scalable operations. It will also explore how these capabilities could further optimize process and quality control performance as Syre advances its ambition to produce circular polyester at industrial scale.

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.

JEC World 2026 confirms its standing as the unmissable event for composites and their applications

JEC World 2026 confirms its position as the leading global event for the composite materials industry and its applications across multiple sectors, bringing together the entire composites ecosystem in Paris for three days of business, innovation, and collaboration. True to its Pushing the Limits motto, the 2026 edition delivered outstanding results despite travel disruptions worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.

Covestro to exhibit solutions for a more sustainable and productive textile industry at Techtextil 2026

Covestro will present a broad portfolio of material innovations for textile coatings, adhesive films and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) at Techtextil 2026 (Hall 11.0, Booth C79). The exhibits will demonstrate how advanced solutions can enhance durability, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency across applications such as automotive, infrastructure, protective apparel and sportswear. A particular focus will be on more sustainable coating technologies, including antimicrobial systems based on INSQIN® in combination with AGXX from Heraeus Precious Metals, as well as the integration of Pontacol® thermoplastic adhesive films into Covestro’s offering.