Worn Again Technologies is helping to evolve the supply chain of feedstocks needed for the development of a global, circular and more sustainable textile industry by participating in an innovative end-of-use material sorting initiative. As part of the UK-based Autosort for Circular Textiles Demonstrator (ACT UK) project, the chemical recycling technology innovator will provide input and insights into the needs of processors as the industry is reshaped. In effect, an end-to-end approach to the collection, sorting, pre-processing and recycling of textiles will enable the transition to a cost-effective and efficient scale up of industrial scale textile recycling plants.
The £4 million ACT UK project is led by the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) with close involvement of Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems. It aims to design and carry out trials for the development of a pioneering, fully integrated, automated sorting and pre-processing system for non-rewearable clothing in the UK. This represents a crucial step in enabling post-use collectors and sorters to supply high volume, quality feedstock for fibre-to-fibre recycling, turning end-of-use textiles into valuable and circular resources.
As a leading expert in chemical recycling, Worn Again Technologies will support ACT UK by bringing its recycling know-how and through the use of its 1,000 tonne per year demonstration plant based in Winterthur, Switzerland. The result of this collaboration will act as a blueprint for the creation of fully integrated, automated sorting and pre-processing facility at commercial scale able to supply high volume feedstock to mechanical and chemical recycling plants.
Erik Koep, CEO at Worn Again Technologies, comments: “Zero waste strategies can be successful only when the entire supply and value chains work together to embrace cost-effective, efficient and circular material management. Being part of the ACT UK project is a strategic step in this direction and we are excited to be part of this initiative. This collaboration will help align sustainability efforts across the global textile industry, supporting the scaling up of comprehensive solutions for circularity.”
