EPSON in collaboration with The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) have succeeded in developing new regenerated cellulose fibre with a silk-like sheen from waste cotton fabric through a new production process. A movement toward using fibres recycled from discarded clothing has been gaining momentum, driven by a growing recognition of waste clothing as a global environmental issue. In Europe in particular, a move is under way to use more regenerated fibre and reduce textile waste. To address societal issues surrounding textile waste, HKRITA and EPSON have been conducting research and development on regenerated fibres since signing a joint development agreement in January 2024. As a result of this collaboration, the partners have successfully developed regenerated cellulose fibre using a new production process that transforms discarded cotton fabric into regenerated fibre.
This new process was made possible by integrating EPSON’s proprietary Dry Fiber Technology for defibrating textiles with HKRITA’s fibre-dissolving technology. The process involves (1) defibrating discarded cotton fabric into a powder-like state, dissolving the cotton in a solvent, and (3) extruding it through a nozzle into a coagulation bath, where it solidifies and is spun into fibre. The regenerated cellulose fibre produced through this process is expected to have both a smooth, silky sheen and the strength of cotton. This fibre is expected to be used in high-end materials such as scarves, neckties, and suit linings. Looking ahead, HKRITA and Epson will continue to combine their advanced technologies to accelerate the adoption of regenerated fibres, contributing to global efforts to solve the challenge of cloth recycling.
