Industry

PUMA: Transforming Textile Waste into New Textiles

PUMA launches RE: FIBRE program which aims to include materials from a fiber-to-fiber recycling process instead of using recycled PET from other applications.

Like many major actors in the industry, PUMA uses recycled plastic bottles as a main source of material to produce its garments made of recycled polyester. This practice is not as sustainable as it seems. PET has a high recycling rate for food and beverage packaging, but the fashion industry recycles less than 1% of its products. A sustainable alternative would be the textile recycling.

You may also read: The Fashion Industry Needs an Alternative to Recycled PET

Textile chemical recycling for a fiber-to-fiber approach

The RE: FIBRE process utilizes textile waste as its main material source. Through a chemical breakdown, it creates new textiles, akin to chemical recycling. The resulting recycled material equals the quality of new, allowing for multiple recycling cycles. This positions RE: FIBRE as a promising and sustainable long-term solution for recycling polyester textile waste.

All garments from this initiative are made of at least 95% recycled textile waste and other used materials made of polyester.

Through this program, PUMA aims to take more responsibility for reducing the impact of textile waste via a long-term solution for recycling. With the innovative RE: FIBRE program, PUMA can repurpose collected textile waste and other used materials to create new textiles.

PUMA plans to increase its overall usage of recycled polyester (by weight) to 75% by 2025.

A program for cooperation

The program is not limited to PUMA’s clothing; it welcomes products from any brand for recycling through the RE: FIBRE initiative. However, some items may not be suitable for the RE: FIBRE process based on their composition. In such instances, PUMA’s sorting partners will responsibly repurpose or dispose of these items through other channels.

Finally, the success of this campaign lies in the cooperation of users and brands. That’s why Important Soccer teams are partnering with the brand to commercialize their products from recycled textiles. They are AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Swiss SFV.

By Juliana Montoya | January 19, 2024

Recent Posts

  • Injection Molding

Injection Molding in Plant-Based Meat Production

As one of the most adaptable polymer processing techniques, injection molding could transform plant-based meat…

17 hours ago
  • Sustainability

Closing the Loop: PET Thermoforms and Bottles in Sinergy

Phase 2 of the "PET Thermoform Recycling Costs & Material Flow Project" examined the technical,…

2 days ago
  • Blow Molding

What’s Powering the Future of Blow Molding?

Automation, sustainability, and 3D printing shape the blow molding's future.

5 days ago
  • Additives & Colorants

Additives in Action: Enhancing Plastic Recycling

Plastics Engineering spoke with Roberto Nunez, Director of Market Development at Baerlocher USA, about the…

6 days ago
  • Sustainability

Shaping the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty: SPE’s Role in INC-5

Conor Carlin, SPE President, discusses SPE's role in the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty, emphasizing its…

7 days ago
  • Industry

Advanced Recycling: A Detailed Check

As advanced recycling evolves rapidly, new companies and facilities are constantly emerging, partnerships are being…

1 week ago