The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has signed formal partnerships with two mainland Chinese organizations through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). These collaborations aim to speed up the commercialization of industry advancements and foster innovation in sportswear.

The two partners are the China Textile Academy (CTA) and ANTA Sports Products Group Co. (ANTA), as announced by HKRITA. The goal is to combine the expertise of professionals from both Hong Kong and mainland China to drive innovative breakthroughs and create strategic advantages in the textile sector.

The CTA, recognized as a key research institution and technological hub in China’s textile industry, plans to work with HKRITA to improve the process of turning lab-based technologies into large-scale projects and intermediate testing phases.

ANTA, a leading sportswear brand in China, places a high emphasis on innovation as a central part of its business strategy. The projects under this agreement are expected to be tailored to meet the needs of athletes, strengthening ANTA’s position in the sportswear market and supporting its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Jake Koh, CEO of HKRITA, commented, “Research and development needs many innovative ideas to succeed. These two agreements open up a wide range of exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland China to develop solutions that will benefit our industry and society. Our combined efforts will quickly address the current challenges in the industry, helping us stay ahead of the competition.”