Sustainable Solutions for Circularity: HKRITA’s Seminar in Fashion InStyle

The Hong Kong Research Institute for Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) held the seminar Sustainable Solutions on Functional Materials, Textiles Sorting and Recycling for Circularity to introduce HKRITA’s latest R&D projects on 21 April during Fashion InStyle.

Ms Katherine Chan, HKRITA’s Director, Business Development, kicked off the seminar with an introduction of the centre’s work. She invited the industry to work with HKRITA through research collaboration, technology application and consultancy services.

Sporty style has become a rising popular fashion trend. To include eco-friendliness in this trend, Dr Gloria Yao, HKRITA’s Director, Project Development, gave an account on textile production of sporty fashion by using bio-based materials and special fibre finishing. Several types of functional fabrics are developed with the functions of one-way moisture transport, UV-blocking, and anti-microbial capacity. Ideal for making sporty fashion, the fabrics keep the skin dry and comfortable and the garments are durable and easy to care for. Without using any petroleum or chemicals, these fabrics are an eco-friendly choice for manufacturers.

Ms Katherine Chan introduces the institute’s development and its collaboration with the industry

Dr Gloria Yao gives an account of using bio-based and natural materials to produce functional fabrics

Recycling operators face various difficulties, including, the lack of corresponding technologies to recycle old garments made of different materials. In view of this, Mr Raymond Chiu, HKRITA’s Senior Research Manager, introduced the Smart Garment Sorting Recycling System which recognises the garment type, material composition, colour and fabric structure in less than one second by using artificial Intelligence and image analysis. The system’s recognition accuracy is over 90%. The four modules can be operated as stand-alone units and arranged in different ways to carry out specific business operations. The system has a great potential to foster textile recycling.

Cotton-polyester blends are popular textile materials but difficult to be recycled. Dr Alex Chan, HKRITA’s Senior Research Manager, talked about the Green Machine which separates cotton-polyester blended fibres by using hydrothermal technology. Both the cotton and polyester fibres can be reused in textiles applications. The industrial scale of the Green Machine has a daily capacity of 1.5 tonnes. HKRITA will continue to enhance its efficiency and install the first local industrial scale model in The Open Lab.

Mr Raymond Chiu explains the operation of the Smart Garment Sorting Recycling System

Dr Alex Chan details the latest development of the Green Machine

Exhibition were also held concurrently during the Fashion Instyle from 19 to 21 April. HKRITA’s new materials and technologies to drive the industry towards sustainable development were displayed, including the new functional textiles made from bio-based and degradable fibres, Nu-Torque cotton yarn production technology, the Green Machine and captivating metallic textiles by sputtering technology.

With the resumption of physical format, the Fashion Instyle (event) organised by the HKTDC was well-received by the industry. HKRITA’s seminar attracted over 130 participants while many industry counterparts visited our booth. Among the visitors was the delegation of the Textile Council of Hong Kong whom the representatives were especially interested in the application of the Green Machine.

The seminar attracts enthusiastic participation and responses

Visitors learn about HKRITA’s textile recycling technology and green materials

Delegation of the Textile Council of Hong Kong visit HKRITA’s booth