A new player in textile recycling, Reju, was incorporated in Paris just 12 months ago and is owned by French engineering firm Technip Energies. It recently opened its Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt, Germany. With only 1% of textiles currently recycled and established players like Renewcell (now Circulose) and Soex facing challenges, Reju’s emergence is timely.
Reju aims to address the textile waste crisis by regenerating materials to be superior to new. As British Vogue notes, there is enough textile on Earth to eliminate the need for new production. Reju’s mission is to “unlock infinite possibilities within finite resources,” using technology from IBM Research to recover textile waste before it becomes waste.
Supported by an extensive network of brands, sorters, yarn spinners, and polymer creators, Reju is forming a global alliance to revolutionise the textile industry. COO Alain Poincheval highlights the company’s expertise, stating, “With over 65 years of experience across 34 countries, we combine engineering, construction, and technological know-how to drive towards a low-carbon economy.”
Reju’s first product, Reju Polyester, made from waste that would otherwise be disposed of, is expected to launch in 2025. CEO Patrik Frisk emphasises the urgency of the textile waste crisis, noting that the world produces 92 million tons of textile waste annually, yet less than 1% is recycled.
Reju guarantees textile-to-textile traceability, with its polyester featuring a 50% lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester. Committed to offering “demonstrably cleaner and infinitely regenerable” products, Reju is embarking on a transformative journey in textile recycling. (1)
