Open Lab Tour: A Glimpse of the Physical Space

Collaboration helps maximise the impact of R&D and develop scalable technologies that suit market demand in a timely manner. In view of the market’s growing concern towards climate change, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) initiated the Open Lab project with H&M Foundation, the project’s Founding and Strategic Partner. It aims to be a partnership platform to co-develop agile solutions for textiles, apparel and fashion industries. It consists of a physical R&D space and a technological database covering over 80 sustainable projects.

The physical Open Lab, 20,000 ft² in size, is located in the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) in Tseung Kwan O InnoPark. On 4 and 6 September, HKRITA guided official representatives and industry partners to visit it. Mr Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA, introduced the vision of the Open Lab and the physical space. The Open Lab houses a Pilot Plant and a Fashion Future Lab. The Pilot Plant is an area for industrial-scale demonstrations and trials of technologies. A mini textiles recycling line with a sorting system will be set up to classify old garments according to their types, material, colour, and fabric construction, followed by a recycling machine that can separate fibres in blended garments for re-spinning. The Fashion Future Lab is a modular research space for early-stage solutions. Its first project “Farm-to-Garment” is a location-independent production line from hydroponic cotton cultivation to yarn process and garment knitting.

Briefing session of Open Lab

Guests pose for a picture at Open Lab

Mr Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA, introduces Fashion Future Lab

Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (third left), visits Open Lab with his team

 

HKRITA’s representatives introduced the Open Lab’s six R&D focuses: energy and water saving manufacturing, environmental-friendly treatment, greenhouse gas and carbon negative solutions, green materials and processes, organic materials and regenerative practices, and renewable and recycled materials. Visitors are highly concerned about the topic of sustainability, and are particularly interested in the AI-powered Smart Garment Sorting System for Recycling to be situated in the Pilot Plant.

Open Lab will commence operation in 2024. As a platform for cross-discipline collaboration, it has secured support from organisations including C&A, Crystal International Group Limited, Fashion for Good, and TAL Apparel Limited. We are devoted to equipping the fashion and textiles industries with scalable technologies to face challenges on sustainability through the Open Lab. Stay tuned for its latest development.

Ms Teresa Yang (left), Chairman of HKRITA, exchanges view with Prof Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Visitors take a look at an old uniform from our partnering organisations which will be recycled in Open Lab