#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.

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.

Eco-design as the foundation of circular textiles

Based on the results of an extensive European analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is currently developing three practice-based training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. This was preceded by a comprehensive company survey and a joint analysis conducted by the project partners under the leadership of IVGT. The results show that the greatest challenges lie not so much in a lack of technology as in skills gaps.

Usha Yarns secures growth equity investment from Fullerton Carbon Action Fund

Usha Yarns Limited (“Usha Yarns”), a producer of high-quality recycled yarns with advanced, well established production processes, announced a growth equity investment from the Fullerton Carbon Action Fund (“Fullerton”), a private equity strategy managed by Fullerton Fund Management that backs established mid-market companies across Emerging Asia to accelerate decarbonisation.

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

BASF opens global diaper and superabsorbents performance lab in Mumbai

BASF has officially inaugurated its new Performance Lab for diapers and superabsorbents (SAP) in Mumbai on August 18, 2026, which will provide technical and application services to superabsorbent customers globally. The new lab of BASF’s Hygiene Solutions business has been established in less than a year and is part of BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, BASF’s second largest R&D site in Asia Pacific established in 2017 under BASF Chemicals India Private Limited.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.