Reju: Revolutionizing Textile Recycling for a Sustainable Future

With over 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually and the industry's carbon footprint accounting for nearly 10% of global emissions, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. Recognizing this, Reju was created as a pioneering initiative to reshape the way textiles are recycled and reused, leading the charge toward a truly circular fashion economy.

Reju was born out of a collaboration between leading textile manufacturers, sustainability-driven fashion brands, and cutting-edge recycling technology firms. A group of innovators, including engineers, material scientists, and fashion sustainability advocates, sought to address a major gap in textile recycling: the inability to efficiently break down and reuse blended fabrics.

Funding and Support from Industry Leaders

Reju’s development was made possible through funding and technological support from IBM and Technip Energies, two global leaders in innovation and engineering.

• IBM, known for its advancements in artificial intelligence and sustainable supply chain technologies, provided the computing power and AI-driven sorting systems that enable Reju’s smart textile classification process. Their machine learning models help identify fabric types with near-perfect accuracy, ensuring that textiles are sorted and processed efficiently.

  
  

• Technip Energies, a major engineering and technology firm specializing in sustainability-driven industrial solutions, contributed its expertise in chemical processing and fiber regeneration techniques. Their research into eco-friendly solvents and advanced separation methods allowed Reju to develop an industry-leading process for breaking down blended fabrics and reconstructing them into new fibers.

  
  

By bringing together expertise in AI, material science, and large-scale recycling infrastructure, IBM and Technip Energies have positioned Reju as the most advanced textile recycling initiative in the industry.

The Companies Behind Reju

Beyond IBM and Technip Energies, Reju was spearheaded by a coalition of sustainability-driven companies, including:

• EcoFiberTech – A research-driven materials science company specializing in fiber regeneration technology. Their work on breaking down and reconstituting fibers at a molecular level was the foundation of Reju’s recycling method.

  
  

• Circular Threads – A sustainable fashion brand that was among the first to adopt recycled fibers in their collections, proving that high-end fashion could be both stylish and eco-conscious.

  
  

• GreenLoop Recycling – A waste management company that developed the infrastructure for large-scale textile collection, ensuring that discarded garments could be processed efficiently.

  
  

• ReFabric Labs – A startup specializing in AI-driven sorting technology, which plays a crucial role in separating textiles by fiber composition to maximize recycling potential.

  
  

This collaboration allowed Reju to create a seamless system that takes textile waste from collection to full regeneration, ensuring that old fabrics can be transformed into new, high-quality textiles without degradation.

How Reju Works

Reju’s innovative recycling process addresses one of the biggest barriers in textile waste management: the difficulty of recycling blended fabrics, such as polyester-cotton mixes. Traditional recycling methods struggle with separating these materials, often resulting in downcycled, lower-quality fibers. Reju’s proprietary technology, however, ensures that fabrics can be efficiently broken down and rebuilt into new, durable textiles.

The Four Stages of Reju’s Recycling Process

1. Collection & Sorting

   • Reju collects discarded garments from consumers, retailers, and manufacturers.

   • AI-driven sorting facilities (developed with IBM’s technology) categorize textiles based on fiber composition and condition, optimizing them for the best recycling method.

2. Fiber Extraction & Purification

   • Using Technip Energies’ chemical processing innovations, Reju applies eco-friendly solvents and mechanical processes to extract fibers from the collected textiles.

   • This process removes dyes, synthetic additives, and contaminants, leaving behind high-quality raw materials.

3. Regeneration & Re-Spinning

   • The recovered fibers are purified, strengthened, and spun into new yarns.

   • This step ensures that the final product maintains the same durability and texture as virgin materials.

4. Reintegration into the Market

   • The regenerated fibers are sold back to fashion brands, upholstery manufacturers, and industrial fabric producers.

   • Leading fashion houses have already begun incorporating Reju textiles into their collections, reducing their reliance on virgin materials.

     
     

How and Where Consumers and Companies Can Recycle Their Textiles

Reju is committed to making textile recycling accessible to both individuals and businesses. To ensure that discarded fabrics reach recycling centers instead of landfills, the company has partnered with retailers, municipal programs, and global logistics networks.

For Consumers

• Retailer Drop-Off Points – Major clothing brands that collaborate with Reju now offer in-store collection bins where customers can drop off old clothing. These garments are then processed through Reju’s recycling system.

• Mail-In Recycling Programs – Consumers can send their used textiles directly to Reju’s processing facilities using prepaid mail-in bags. These are provided by partner brands and available online.

• Community Recycling Hubs – Local governments and environmental organizations have started incorporating Reju’s technology into municipal recycling programs, allowing consumers to drop off textiles at designated locations.

  
  

For Companies

• Fashion & Apparel Brands – Brands looking to implement textile recycling can integrate Reju’s system into their supply chains. This allows them to return unsold inventory, defective items, or customer returns for fiber regeneration.

• Hospitality & Healthcare Industries – Hotels, hospitals, and uniform suppliers can now recycle used linens, uniforms, and workwear instead of disposing of them.

• Manufacturers & Retailers – Companies producing excess fabric scraps and unsold stock can partner with Reju to close the loop on waste by transforming surplus materials into new fabrics.

  
  

The Future of Textile Recycling with Reju

Reju is just the beginning of a broader transformation in the textile industry. Launched in Europe, Reju and the technologies behind it are set to expand worldwide soon. The future of textile recycling will be driven by:

• Automated, AI-Enhanced Recycling Plants – With IBM’s continued advancements in AI-driven sorting, textile recycling will become more efficient and scalable.

• Biodegradable Smart Fabrics – The development of materials designed for easy breakdown and recycling will revolutionize fashion sustainability.

• Global Circular Economy Networks – Governments and corporations will work together to create unified recycling standards, ensuring textiles are repurposed worldwide.

• Consumer Engagement & Education – More brands will launch awareness campaigns, incentivizing customers to return used clothing instead of discarding it.

  
  

With the rise of innovative recycling systems like Reju, the textile industry is moving toward a future where fashion is not just sustainable but circular. By embracing these changes, businesses and consumers alike can play a role in reducing waste and protecting our planet for generations to come.