Global Textile Recycling market is predicted to reach approximately USD 5.91 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.78% from 2022 to 2031.

The global textile recycling market involves the collection, processing, and reclamation of used textiles to minimize waste and environmental impact. Textile recycling encompasses the recovery of clothing, household textiles, and industrial fabrics through various methods such as mechanical, chemical, and thermal processes. The market's primary objective is to extend the lifecycle of textiles by converting them into reusable materials, reducing the need for new production and mitigating the environmental footprint associated with textile waste.

The textile recycling market has grown significantly due to growing awareness of sustainability. Industry adoption of textile recycling practices is a result of factors like waste reduction, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. The market is growing as more businesses and consumers realise the advantages recycling textiles has for the environment and the economy. In order to meet the growing demand for sustainable textile solutions, major players in the industry concentrate on creating cutting-edge technologies and effective collection systems. All things considered, the market for textile recycling is essential to advancing a circular economy because it turns waste textiles into useful resources.

Global Textile Recycling report scope and segmentation.

Global Textile Recycling dynamics

The global textile recycling market in recent years has experienced dynamic shifts driven by increasing awareness of sustainability and environmental concerns. Growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products has led to a surge in textile recycling initiatives. Governments and organizations worldwide are implementing stringent regulations to promote recycling and reduce textile waste. Technological advancements in recycling processes have also played a pivotal role, enabling the efficient conversion of used textiles into raw materials for new products. The circular economy concept has gained traction, fostering collaborations between fashion brands and recycling companies. Additionally, the rise of fast fashion and the consequent increase in textile waste have propelled the expansion of the recycling market. The market dynamics are characterized by a balance between environmental responsibility and economic viability, with stakeholders focusing on innovative solutions to address the challenges of textile waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Global Textile Recycling drivers

Growing Environmental Awareness and Regulatory Initiatives  

One of the primary drivers shaping the global textile recycling market is the increasing awareness of environmental sustainability. As consumers become more conscious of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, there is a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly practices within the textile industry. This shift in consumer behaviour has driven companies and governments to prioritize recycling initiatives. Regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stringent measures to address the environmental footprint of the textile industry, including guidelines for waste reduction and recycling. For instance, regulations promoting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) encourage textile manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, pushing them to adopt recycling processes and incorporate recycled materials into new products. The alignment of consumer preferences with regulatory measures creates a favourable environment for the growth of the textile recycling market. Companies that embrace and invest in sustainable practices stand to gain a competitive edge, driving innovation and expansion in the recycling sector.

Technological Advancements in Recycling Processes

The textile recycling market is significantly influenced by advancements in recycling technologies. Innovations in the development of efficient and cost-effective recycling processes have played a pivotal role in expanding the market. Cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced sorting systems, chemical recycling, and mechanical recycling, have improved the quality and yield of recycled textile materials. For example, the development of state-of-the-art machines capable of separating different types of fibers in a mixed textile waste stream enhances the quality of recycled materials, making them suitable for a wider range of applications. Chemical recycling methods, including depolymerization and dissolution techniques, have enabled the breakdown of complex textiles into raw materials that can be used to produce new fibers or other products. These technological advancements not only contribute to the environmental goals of reducing textile waste but also make recycled materials more economically viable for manufacturers. As technology continues to advance, the textile recycling market is likely to witness further growth and diversification, offering sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by the traditional linear fashion industry and its associated environmental impacts.

• Restraints:

Complexity and Cost of Recycling Processes

The textile recycling sector faces considerable obstacles to the general adoption of recycling due to the complex and expensive nature of the processes involved. Even with advances in technology, it is still difficult to effectively sort and separate different types of textile materials, especially when working with blends or mixed fabrics. High initial costs are associated with the need for sophisticated recycling technologies, such as chemical and mechanical procedures. For these procedures to be carried out effectively, complex infrastructure in addition to complex machinery are needed. High capital costs become a significant barrier that prevents many businesses, particularly smaller ones, from participating fully in the textile recycling market.

Furthermore, the financial difficulties that industry participants face are exacerbated by the operating expenses related to the upkeep and operation of recycling facilities. Financial resources are further strained by the need for skilled labour, specialised equipment maintenance, and energy consumption. It becomes increasingly difficult to strike a balance between environmental responsibility and economic viability as businesses work to make textile recycling both affordable and sustainable. To overcome these obstacles, more research and development is needed to optimise and streamline recycling procedures so that a wider range of businesses can more easily access and afford them.

Lack of Consumer Awareness and Education

The lack of knowledge and education among consumers about the benefits of recycling and the environmental impact of textile waste is a major barrier to the global market for textile recycling. Even with the growing emphasis on sustainability on a global scale, a significant proportion of consumers are still not well-informed about the effects of textile waste and the advantages of choosing products made from recycled materials. This ignorance results in a persistent preference for fast fashion and disposable textiles as well as a decreased participation rate in recycling initiatives.

Governments, business stakeholders, and nonprofit organisations must work together to implement extensive awareness campaigns and educational initiatives in order to address this challenge. Customers must be aware of the part they play in reducing their impact on the environment by selecting recycled fabrics. Spreading knowledge about the lifecycle of textiles, the harm that textile waste causes to the environment, and the benefits of recycling to a circular economy are all part of fostering a culture of sustainable consumption. Customers are likely to make better decisions as awareness rises, which will increase demand for recycled textiles and boost the textile recycling industry as a whole.

• Opportunities:

Circular Fashion Revolution

A transformative opportunity within the textile recycling market emerges through the burgeoning concept of circular fashion. With sustainability becoming a central theme in the global textile industry, the circular fashion revolution presents a unique prospect for market players to redefine consumption patterns and establish a closed-loop system.

In this paradigm, the opportunity lies in creating innovative business models that prioritize the entire lifecycle of textiles. Companies can explore and invest in strategies that emphasize durability, recyclability, and reusability of textile products. Designing garments with modular components, facilitating easy disassembly, and utilizing materials that lend themselves to efficient recycling are avenues for industry players to capitalize on this opportunity.

Moreover, partnerships across the fashion value chain, from designers to manufacturers and retailers, can foster a seamless integration of circular principles. Collaborations with technology companies for the development of smart textiles with embedded traceability features can enhance transparency, assuring consumers of the recycled content in their purchases.

Investments in public awareness campaigns and consumer education programs constitute another facet of the opportunity. By promoting the environmental benefits of choosing recycled textiles and showcasing the positive impact on reducing fashion's carbon footprint, businesses can stimulate demand and cultivate a conscious consumer base.

Segment Overview

By Material  

The market for textile recycling is segmented based on material into: cotton, polyester, wool, polyamide and other. The cotton material segment took the lead in the market, constituting over 2/3^rd of the global textile recycling revenue share in 2022. Recycled cotton, known for its reduced textile waste and lower resource consumption compared to conventional or organic cotton, emerges as a sustainable choice. Cotton's substantial demand in clothing and textiles positions it as a major contributor to textile waste. Meanwhile, within the textile sector, wool apparel boasts superior intrinsic durability and an extended shelf life.

Tyton BioSciences has introduced a groundbreaking water-based hydrothermal solution for recycling garments made from cotton, polyester, and polycotton blends. Their eco-friendly method separates cotton from polyester by breaking it down into its monomer components, facilitating reassembly into new polyester. This innovative process preserves cellulose integrity, allowing its use in Man Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCFs) as a sustainable alternative to new tree pulp. Tyton BioSciences secured USD 8 million in funding in 2022, earmarked to accelerate its path to commercialization, with Tin Shed Ventures, the investment arm of Patagonia, leading the funding round.

The polyester recycling segment is projected to exhibit a significant CAGR over the forecast period, driven by heightened demand from the apparel industry's commitment to increased use of recycled polyester, replacing traditional polyester. Recycled polyester, as indicated by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition's Higg Material Sustainability Index, boasts a smaller carbon footprint compared to virgin polyester, resulting in approximately 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for each kilogram of mechanically recycled polyester.

For environmentally conscious consumers, recycled polyamide emerges as an optimal alternative, diverting waste from landfills and providing a new life for plastic in various products. Notably, recycled polyamide's circular nature enables endless recycling. Utilizing recycled polyamide fabrics significantly lowers CO2 emissions compared to virgin polyamide/nylon. Patagonia, for instance, incorporates recycled polyamide in 90% of its apparel, resulting in a notable 20% reduction in emissions, equivalent to over 3.5 million pounds of CO2.

By Source

The Textile Recycling market is categorized based on source into Apparel Waste, Home Furnishing Waste, Automotive Waste and Other. The segment of apparel waste contributed to 1/3^rd of the global textile recycling revenue in 2022. This category encompasses waste originating from surplus fabric during manufacturing, rejected or damaged garments, and post-consumer discards, including clothes and shoes. The textile industry has witnessed a significant reduction in the average lifespan of new garments over the past two decades, leading to an increased volume of apparel waste. These factors are anticipated to fuel the demand for textile recycling in the apparel sector.

Home furnishing waste constitutes discarded textiles from items like pillows, carpets, rugs, bedsheets, curtains, and sofas. The global surge in disposable income has resulted in heightened spending on these products, concurrently escalating the generation of home furnishing waste. Population growth, an expanded variety of available home furnishings, and improved living standards contribute to the substantial production of post-industrial and post-consumer home furnishing waste. These factors are poised to drive the demand for recycling in the home furnishing waste category.

Textiles used in automobiles, including carpets, seat covers, cushions, roof liners, door liners, tires, filters, and airbags, contribute to automotive waste. The escalating ownership of vehicles in developing nations exacerbates the challenge of automotive waste. Initiatives focusing on the management of automotive textile waste are expected to positively influence market growth.

Stuffed toys fall under the category of textiles for recycling. According to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), only 15% of textiles in the U.S. are donated for reuse or recycling, with the average American family discarding 324 pounds of unwanted textiles annually, including stuffed animals. In 2021, Bank & Vogue Ltd. successfully recycled approximately 1,400,000 pounds of toys. SK-Tex adopted textile recycling, converting clothing into materials for car seat upholstery, furniture insulation, and eco-friendly building insulation. These factors are anticipated to drive demand for the recycling of sailing and fishing nets, insulation, and stuffed toys.

Global Textile Recycling Overview by Region

In North America, stringent environmental regulations and a growing emphasis on circular economy practices propel the textile recycling market. Europe, a pioneer in sustainable practices, experiences robust growth due to increasing awareness and government support for recycling initiatives. Asia-Pacific, home to major textile manufacturing hubs, is witnessing a surge in textile recycling activities as countries recognize the environmental impact of the industry. In this region, both economic and environmental considerations contribute to the adoption of recycling practices. Additionally, the Middle East and Africa are gradually embracing textile recycling, driven by a growing awareness of sustainability issues and a desire to reduce landfill waste. Overall, the global textile recycling market's regional dynamics reflect a convergence of regulatory frameworks, consumer awareness, and industry collaborations to address the environmental challenges associated with textile waste.

Global Textile Recycling market competitive landscape

Key players in this dynamic landscape include companies such as I:CO, Global Recycling, and Martex Fiber. These firms are strategically positioning themselves to capitalize on the increasing consumer demand for sustainable practices and circular economy solutions.

Developing new ideas and technologies is essential to getting a competitive advantage in the textile recycling industry. Businesses are spending money on R&D to create innovative recycling technologies that save environmental impact and increase efficiency. Additionally, as companies look to fortify their supply chains and broaden their geographic reach, strategic alliances and collaborations are becoming the norm.

In order to optimise the textile recycling process, industry participants are also concentrating on improving their collection infrastructure. To effectively gather used textiles, this entails setting up collection locations, working with retailers, and utilising reverse logistics. Establishing a strong and extensive collection network is essential for businesses to guarantee a consistent flow of raw materials for recycling.

Moreover, as businesses work to develop a market for recycled textile products, consumer awareness and education campaigns are becoming more and more important. Promoting the use of recycled materials in the fashion industry and teaching consumers about the advantages of textile recycling for the environment are fast becoming essential elements of competitive strategies.

The competitive landscape is further influenced by waste management and sustainability-related government regulations and policies. Businesses that comply with these regulations and go above and beyond them will have a competitive advantage and demonstrate their dedication to ethical business practices.

Global Textile Recycling Recent Developments

• November 2023, Reverse Resources (RR), a specialist in textile waste management, has teamed up with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) to launch a program aimed at expanding textile-to-textile recycling efforts in India. The primary objective of the collaboration is to address the challenges within the underperforming waste-handling sector in the country. Additionally, the partnership seeks to enhance the quality and commercial feasibility of products derived from textile-to-textile recycling.
• November 2023, Ambercycle, a prominent circular materials innovator, is collaborating with the Danish affordable luxury brand GANNI as part of its 'Fabrics of the Future' initiative. Aligned with GANNI's commitment to carbon reduction and responsible fashion, the initiative introduces cycora®, a textile-to-textile recycled material. The partnership, focusing on textile-to-textile recycling in the fashion industry, commences with the introduction of a women's sports jersey t-shirt in the GANNI SPORT collection. This t-shirt, made partially from post-consumer waste, serves as a demonstration of how future materials can enhance functionality in activewear while contributing to sustainability.
• April 2023, Zara has unveiled its inaugural collection created from recycled poly-cotton textile waste. In collaboration with textile recycling company Circ, the fast-fashion retailer launched a line of women's apparel crafted from recycled polyester and cotton fibers. This initiative addresses a significant recycling hurdle in the industry, namely the challenge posed by blended textiles
• June 2023, Avery Dennison Corporation, a global leader in materials science and digital identification solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with TEXAID, a prominent European company specializing in the collection, sorting, repair, reselling, and recycling of used textiles. The collaboration is geared towards addressing the impending challenges in textile waste management, especially in light of upcoming regulatory changes in the European Union. A crucial aspect of this joint effort involves the incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies. Leveraging its position as a provider of cutting-edge digital identification solutions for the apparel industry, Avery Dennison will collaborate with TEXAID to explore the potential of technology in ensuring the traceability of garments throughout the sorting and recycling processes. Digital identifiers, managed through Avery Dennison's atma.io connected product cloud platform, will carry essential fiber information, facilitating TEXAID in efficiently processing apparel into relevant resale or recycling streams.
• May 2023, in a move to advance its circularity initiatives, sportswear brand Lululemon has initiated a multi-year partnership with Samsara Eco, a textile recycling company. The collaboration aims to leverage Samsara Eco's circular manufacturing process to create nylon and polyester that can be perpetually recycled from Lululemon's own products. Samsara Eco specializes in recycling high-performance nylon and polyester blends, utilizing leftover clothing from Lululemon and its partners to develop novel materials. This initiative seeks to introduce "lower-impact alternatives" to the performance garment market.
• In December 2023, ReHubs marked the commencement of its operations by welcoming 18 distinguished European companies and organizations at its inaugural General Assembly. These entities span various sectors within the circular textile value chain, united by their shared dedication to investing in textile recycling capacity across Europe. With ReHubs generating considerable interest, additional partners are anticipated to join in the near future, as companies are welcome to become part of the initiative at any point.
• December 2023, France has recently celebrated the inauguration of its inaugural large-scale automated facility dedicated to the sorting and recycling of textiles. This achievement is the outcome of a collaborative effort between recycling company Nouvelles Fibres Textiles, sorting specialist Pellenc ST, and technology group Andritz. Situated at the Nouvelles Fibres Textiles site in Amplepuis, the advanced sorting line is designed to efficiently process textile waste. Its primary goal is to generate recycled fibers suitable for various industries, including spinning, non-wovens, and composites. Additionally, the facility serves as a platform for customer trials and projects, as well as facilitating the research and development endeavors of the collaborating partners.
• September 2023, The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) has recently introduced a convenient initiative for residents to dispose of used clothing, shoes, sheets, and various textiles. At all five Residential Drop-off Centers operated by DPW, large blue collection bins have been set up for this purpose. The installation of these bins is the result of a collaboration between DPW and HELPSY, facilitated through an agreement with the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (NMWDA). HELPSY, a Certified B Corporation committed to environmental objectives, specializes in clothing collection and strives to prolong the lifespan of clothing items. Operating across 11 states, HELPSY partners with municipalities and organizations to collect unwanted clothing, contributing positively to the communities they serve.
• October 2023, Arvind and Circulose have joined forces in a collaboration aimed at fostering sustainability and circularity in the garment industry, particularly focusing on eco-friendly denim production. Arvind emphasizes that incorporating Circulose into denim signifies a significant stride towards sustainable apparel manufacturing. The partnership underscores the importance of optimizing resource utilization in textile production, illustrating that eco-conscious practices can also be economically viable. The resulting denim from this collaboration is meticulously fashioned using upcycled cotton textiles and Circulose-derived viscose, effectively diverting waste away from landfills.
• April 2023, ANDRITZ, an international technology group, has joined forces with Pellenc ST and Nouvelles Fibres Textiles to establish France's inaugural industrial-scale automated textile sorting line. This groundbreaking partnership integrates advanced sorting and recycling technologies, leveraging the extensive expertise of the collaborators in sorting technologies (Pellenc ST), textile machinery and processes (ANDRITZ), and post-consumer textile value chains, encompassing sorting through manufacturing (Nouvelles Fibres Textiles, a newly established entity by Les Tissages de Charlieu and Synergies TLC).
• May 2023, Lululemon has recently invested in the Australian recycling company Samsara Eco as a minority stakeholder. The two companies are joining forces to transform waste generated during the production of Lululemon's athletic apparel into recycled nylon and polyester. This recycled material will then be utilized to craft new and sustainable apparel items.
• June 2023, Circ, a mixed textile recycling specialist based in Danville, Virginia, has formed a strategic alliance with Acegreen Eco-Material, a subsidiary of Acelon Chemicals and Fiber Corporation in Taiwan. The collaboration aims to produce filament lyocell for the fashion industry and extend joint efforts in research and development. This partnership is an extension of the successful commercial endeavors between Circ and Acegreen, highlighted by a recent product launch from Zara Woman. Under a shared, long-term commercial vision, Acegreen will persist in the production of filament lyocell using Circ's reclaimed cotton sourced from polycotton textile waste. The formalization of this partnership follows years of collaborative research and development, transitioning seamlessly into large-scale commercial production.

Global Textile Recycling report segmentation