Seaqual 4U, which owns the recycled polyester fibre Seaqual, the branded polyester textile fibre made from recycled plastic recovered from the sea with the help of fishing fleets in Spain is now looking to ramp up its commercial activity for which it has appointed Michael Chtepa as its managing director.

According to Seaqual, the appointment will support the development of the ‘eco-fibre’, alongside a brand and marketing strategy to open up new markets. Originally, the fibre was created through a Spanish alliance between the recycled clothing retailer Ecoalf, textile group Santanderina and spinning mill Antex.

Ecoalf is supporting Seaqual as part of its Upcycling the Oceans project, which aims to play an active role in the environmental protection of marine life. Ecoalf said that a division for partnering international weaving mills is being set up to protect marine life from pollution caused by fibres.

Chtepa said that he aims to make Seaqual a global ingredient brand inspiring the entire textile industry to achieve virtuous production and consumption by way of a rational, ‘eco-friendly’ manufacturing process, without sacrificing the creative element.”

As part of this, Seaqual has developed a transparent supply chain from fisherman to consumer, which aims to involve all spinning and weaving brands in the textile industry, to try to encourage responsible manufacturing of fibres and to clean up sea waste.