Major fashion brands, including Zara, H&M, Primark, and Uniqlo, are expanding textile-to-textile recycling initiatives as new circularity regulations place greater responsibility on brands to manage textile waste and end-of-life products.
The shift comes as the global fashion industry generates around 92 million tons of textile waste annually. With governments introducing stricter regulations on waste management and producer responsibility, brands are increasingly investing in recycling solutions to support circular business models.
The European Union’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for textiles is among the most significant policy developments driving this transition. The regulation requires brands to contribute to the collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling of textile products after consumer use.
In response, H&M has expanded the use of Renew Cell’s Circulose recycled material across its collections. Zara has partnered with recycling innovators Amber Cycle and Circ to integrate textile-to-textile recycled fibers into commercial products. Primark is advancing its Textile Takeback program in partnership with Yellow Octopus, while Uniqlo continues to strengthen its RE.UNIQLO initiative through in-store collection and recycling programs.
The growing demand for circular materials is also creating opportunities for recycling technology providers. Companies including Circ, Circulose, Infinited Fibre Company, Erdotex, Recover, RE&UP, Worn Again Technologies, and Fiberly are developing solutions that convert textile waste into new raw materials.
US-based Circ has developed technology capable of separating cotton and polyester from blended textile waste, while Sweden-based Circulose transforms discarded textiles into dissolving pulp for the production of new man-made cellulosic fibers. Finland’s Infinited Fibre Company produces Infinna fiber from cotton-rich textile waste, supporting the industry’s move toward recycled feedstocks.
India is also strengthening its textile recycling ecosystem as manufacturers prepare for growing sustainability requirements in key export markets.
Vardhman Textiles has launched ReNova, a recycling facility that converts pre-consumer and post-consumer textile waste into Global Recycled Standard certified recycled cotton and polyester fibers. Surat-based CanvaLoop is producing Agro-Lyocell fibers from agricultural waste, while ReCircle has established a textile recovery facility that collects, sorts, and recycles textile waste streams.
According to the company’s latest impact report, ReCircle returned more than 129,000 metric tonnes of dry waste to the value chain during FY25. Panipat-based Respun reported diverting 6,160 tonnes of textile waste from landfills in 2025 while reducing approximately 33.6 million kilograms of carbon emissions.
Strategic partnerships are also accelerating commercialization. Birla Cellulose and Circ have signed a long-term agreement under which Birla Cellulose plans to purchase up to 5,000 tons of Circ’s recycled pulp annually from Circ’s first commercial-scale facility in France.
Despite increasing momentum, challenges remain. Chemical recycling technologies require significant investment and resources, while mechanical recycling can reduce fiber quality. Limited collection and sorting infrastructure and higher recycling costs continue to restrict large-scale adoption.
Industry estimates suggest that less than one percent of textiles globally is recycled back into new textile products. As regulations tighten and brands face growing sustainability expectations, textile-to-textile recycling is expected to become a critical component of the future circular fashion economy.
