Turkish denim manufacturer ISKO has announced a licensing deal with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) to use its separation and recycling solution. HKRITA's innovative Green Machine – a one-of-a-kind technology that fully separates and recycles cotton and polyester blends at scale. 

ISKO's recent investment comes as part of the company's continuous commitment to sustainability. Furthermore, ISKO and HKRITA will collaborate to create related technologies, further strengthening the company's position as a sustainability leader.

According to the company's press release, the technology is still in the pilot stage, but it is an additional step in ISKO's drive to improve and commercialize recycling technologies, which will eventually enable the company to offer 100% post-consumer recycling solution to all of its customers.

ISKO CEO, Fatih Konukoglu, said that ISKO is totally committed to sustainability, and they are always searching for innovative methods to contribute towards the future of a truly circular fashion sector through their responsible innovation strategy. Their investment in this innovative technology is another milestone toward their full circularity objective.

The company added that the Green Machine is a first in the industry since it employs a new and ultra-efficient hydrothermal treatment process to break down cotton into cellulose granules and separate polyester fibers from mixed textiles. Only water, heat, and less than 5% biodegradable green chemicals are used in the closed-loop process.

The company further said in the release that the polyester fibers are not damaged in this method and therefore maintains the quality; the cellulose granules, which are pure and toxic-free, can be utilized in a number of ways.

Edwin Keh, HKRITA's CEO, said that the Green Machine is a revolutionary recycling system. It's fantastic to see this initiative become genuinely financially feasible. They’re excited to discover that ISKO has recognized their invention and is using their recycling solution into their manufacturing process. The Green Machine will undoubtedly become another ISKO green credential.

The ISKO's R-Two initiative is also striving to develop textiles with a guaranteed minimum recycled content mix of 50% + GRS (Global Recycle Standard). This will drastically lower a fabric's carbon and water footprint, as well as making it simple for customers to follow a garment's sustainable journey from the start of the supply chain to the finished product.