The US-based mixed textile recycler Circ collaborates with Acegreen Eco-Material Technology (Acegreen), a branch of Taiwan's Acelon Chemicals and Fibre Corporation, to develop filament lyocell for the fashion sector in an effort to dramatically cut carbon emissions.

Circ and Acegreen emphasised that the cornerstone for this strategic collaboration was the success of their most recent collection with the Zara clothing line, which is owned by Inditex.

Womenswear from the Zara collection was made of textiles made by repurposing recycled cotton and polyester blends as new raw materials. Acegreen will continue to produce filament lyocell using Circ's recycled cotton derived from used polycotton fabrics as part of a shared, long-term commercial goal.

According to Circ, its integrated industrial process and technological system can return clothes to the raw materials from which it was made, preserving the planet's natural resources.

It is asserted that the technique can separate and recover mixed polymer streams, notably any polyester and cotton blends, which make up the majority of manufactured garments. The carbon emissions that the apparel industry generates are expected to be greatly reduced by Circ's technology.

Peter Majeranowski, Circ’s chief executive officer said: “Acegreen is a strong manufacturing partner that is making the world’s highest quality filament lyocell. With Circ’s recovered cotton, we’ve made the world’s first 50% recycled filament lyocell and released it in consumer products with our brand partners.”

Roger Chou, Acegreen’s chief executive officer added: “The future for man made cellulosic fibres, like lyocell, is reclaimed cotton in place of tree pulp.”