New polyester recycling process can use a wider range of feedstock
Polyester fabrics can be recycled repeatedly without significant impact on the resulting fabric
As part of a multi-year collaboration, Shein, the global online on-demand fashion retailer, has developed a polyester recycling process with Donghua University, a research institute specializing in textile research.
This new polyester recycling process accepts a wider range of materials, including both pre- and post-consumer polyester feedstock, such as textile waste and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. This offers greater flexibility in sourcing for feedstock, and improved cost efficiency compared to the recycled polyester options currently used in Shein's products, says the company.
Solving industry-wide challenges
"Our goal is to leverage innovation and technology to help solve industry-wide challenges," says Leonard Lin, president of EMEA, global head of public affairs, and general manager of Shein Singapore. "In line with our evoluSHEIN strategy, we have invested in the research and development of a new polyester recycling process that allows us to incorporate a broader variety of feedstock, achieve better cost efficiencies, and recycle polyester multiple times without compromising the material properties of the polyester produced."
Testing by Donghua's team of researchers has shown that the recycled polyester fabrics produced through this process can be recycled repeatedly without significant impact on the material properties of the resulting fabric, as the inputs are chemically broken down, refined, and reconstituted at the polymer level.
Scaling the technology for large-scale production by summer of 2025
At this stage of the project, Shein will be partnering with selected partner fibre manufacturers, to scale up the technology from a laboratory-scale setting to a facility capable of producing recycled polyester fibres at a larger commercial scale. The facility is expected to start large-scale production of polyester fibres in June 2025, with an annual target production output of 3,000 metric tons.
This project with Donghua University is in line with Shein's commitment to transition 31 percent of the polyester used in Shein-branded products to recycled polyester by 2030.
"This will be a critical step towards our goal of reducing our reliance on virgin polyester and supporting a broader industry transition," says Lin. "Shein will continue to look for more opportunities to partner with ecosystem players to accelerate use of recycled polyester."
