Why
Open
Lab
In 2020, the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) and the H&M Foundation committed to a five-year collaboration plan under the theme "Planet First" to further drive the sustainable developments for the textile and fashion industry. Open Lab is one of the initiatives of "Planet First", it does not only support the industry to be more planet positive, but also to facilitate industry collaborations to scale solutions and impact.
INNOVATE at speed: carry out researches
SCALE through collaboration: leverage scalable solutions through partnerships and business model integration
MAXIMISE impact: drive industry change
What we do
Open Lab is a shared vision to create a physical space and a digital platform for industry partners across the supply chain to come together to explore the unknown, and to encourage broad industry-wide collaborations.
We invite partners to work together to develop technologies driving the forefront sustainability initiatives in fashion and textiles industry, to fund projects and scale outcomes quickly with the intention to make resources broadly available.
We invite partners to work together to develop technologies driving the forefront sustainability initiatives in fashion and textiles industry, to fund projects and scale outcomes quickly with the intention to make resources broadly available.
About
Physical Lab
It is an integrated space for demonstrating the industrial scale-up of technologies and systems developed by HKRITA, as well as for conducting research and trial. The space is divided into two main sections - Pilot Plant and Fashion Future Lab.
Pilot Plant
A recycling facility for demonstration and trial to scale up technologies. It features Green Machine 2.0, the pioneer blend separation system for yarn re-spinning and post-consumer textiles waste recycling.
- For industrial-scale demonstration and trial of technologies
- AI-powered Smart Garment Sorting System for Recycling - classifying post-consumer garments
- Green Machine 2.0 - separating polyester fibres from blended textile for yarn re-spinning into new textiles products
Fashion
Future Lab
Laboratory space for early-stage solutions with focus on textile material and system development. Flexible modular units to accommodate different experiments and equipment.
- A modular research space for early-stage solutions
- The first project: Farm-to-Garment - A location-independent production line from hydroponic cotton cultivation to yarn processing and garment knitting
Sustainability
Projects
Photo Album
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