Networking Opportunities to Foster Collaboration

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has been working closely with the textile and fashion industry partners. We have carried out market-led applied research to enhance the competitiveness of the industry and solve pressing production issues. To introduce technology as a solution to stand out in the fast-changing market and intense competition, HKRITA organised tours over the past quarter to receive several local and international trade organisations, including Hong Kong Wearing Apparel Industry Employees General Union, Textile Council of Hong Kong, Sustainability Committee of Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and Clothing Industry Training Authority.

R&D for a Sustainable Environment

Sustainability has been a key concern not only to the textile industry, but also the rest of the world. With this backdrop, we gave an account of our work in environment protection, ranging from carbon reduction, waste water treatment and textile waste recycling. Among them, the visit delegation showed particular interest in Carbon Looper: CO₂-capturing cellulosic materials, removal of indigo dye in denim plant wastewater by CO₂-capturing macroalgae, Absorboost: cellulosic superabsorbent polymer (C-SAP) as agricultural aid, and reProLeather: regenerating bio-based leather from leather waste. Lively exchanges were made on the application and commercialisation of these technologies.

Mr Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA, introduces the Green Machine, the hydrothermal treatment system to recycle blended garments that can contribute to reduce textile waste

Ms Katherine Chan, HKRITA’s Director, Business Development, demonstrates cotton fabric with water-repellent functions using PFC-free materials

reProLeather samples are shown to visitors

 

Re-industrialisation is another hot topic to the industry. Our centre’s representative introduced the Green Machine, a solution to realise circular production. The Green Machine is a recycling system to separate and recycle cotton-PET blended textiles using hydrothermal treatment. The first industrial scale of Green Machine was set up in 2020 in Asia to optimise system parameters to ensure smooth and greener operations. The first local industrial scale Green Machine will be set up in Hong Kong soon. During the delegation visits, we also introduced The Open Lab, a physical space and a digital platform along the supply chain to develop solutions to reach carbon neutrality and sustainability.

Research for the Benefits of the Society

Apart from supporting industrial development and transformation, we also strive to provide solutions to benefit the society. We shared our work on the collaboration with the social welfare sector and the sports sector, such as our project to develop a 3D breast prosthesis mastectomy bra, and the high-performance sportswear for the Hong Kong Rowing Team. We aim to demonstrate to our industry partners the possibility of cross-discipline collaboration and how the textile industry can benefit the society.

We also promote our research outcomes through different channels. We are honoured to be one of the public research institutes to showcase our projects on Innovation Hub@HK, an online platform launched by the Innovation and Technology Commission to promote the latest technologies to industries. Our representatives took part in a launch ceremony on 18 August. As a part of this collaboration among the government, industry, academic and research sectors, we hope our research efforts can further contribute to industrial development and the economic growth of Hong Kong. For more information of the platform, please visit the website of Innovation Hub@HK.

Mr Keh shows visitors the vest with RFID tracking for elderly. This vest is developed under the colllaboration with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals

Dr Gloria Yao, HKRITA’s Director, Project Development, shares with visitors our long-term collaboration with the Hong Kong Sports Institute to develop a series of high-performance sportswear

Mr Keh (2^nd from the right) attends the launch ceremony of Innovation Hub@HK