Breakthrough and Innovation in 2023

As the world gradually returned to normal in 2023, both opportunities and challenges lay ahead. In the past year, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has seized every opportunity, dived into new domains, expanded its collaborative network, and focused in R&D to drive the development of the textile industry.

Strengthening Ties with the Mainland

HKRITA actively participated in textile and fashion industry events in the Mainland such as exhibitions and seminars, introducing our research work to our mainland counterparts. In October, we attended the Integral Conversation organised by the Esquel Group in Guilin. This event explored how to integrate the notion of sustainability into areas like innovation, urban planning, architecture, and healthcare. Mr Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA, shared how textile research can contribute to environmental sustainability and we also showcased a series of green technologies in the event. In November, we took part in three exhibitions in Shenzhen and Shanghai. At the China International Import Expo (CIIE), we teamed up with the H&M Foundation to introduce Green Machine and Acousweep. We also exhibited various technologies related to functional fabrics, green materials, and waste treatment at the China Hi-Tech Fair and the Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics.

Mr Edwin Keh (right), CEO of HKRITA, shares the application of environmentally friendly technologies and materials in the fashion industry in “Integral Conversation”

Mr Ryan Wong (right), Business Development Manager of HKRITA, introduces how Green Machine separates cotton and polyester fibres at the exhibition of “Integral Conversation”

Our works and green textile technologies are introduced at the China International Import Expo (CIIE)

Mr Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA, takes a photo with Ms Helena Helmersson, CEO of H&M Group

Visitors of the China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen take a look of Acousweep: the microplastic separation system

HKRITA exhibits several textiles manufacturing and recycling technologies at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics

 

HKRITA also grasped opportunities to exchange views our mainland partners. In June, Dr Gloria Yao, Director (Project Development) of HKRITA, shared how carbon neutrality policies can drive sustainable development in the luxury market at the 4th China Luxury Digital Innovation Summit in Shanghai. In July, Mr KK Chan, Senior Engineer of HKRITA, introduced the research achievements of the award-winning project, Green Machine, at the China National Garment Technology Conference held in Hangzhou. In November, Mr Edwin Keh and Ms Katherine Chan, Director (Business Development), visited Wuhan Textile University along with Professor Lilly Li, Professor of School of Fashion and Textiles and Associate Director PAIR of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, to exchange ideas on research and technological development. Also in November, we hosted a panel discussion under the theme “Empowering Sustainability and Circularity through Innovation” at the Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics. We look forward to establishing closer collaborative relationships with industry partners in the Mainland and sharing with them our research work in the coming year.

Dr Gloria Yao, Director (Project Development) of HKRITA, explains how environmental policies are posing a significant impact on the fashion industry at the 4th China Luxury Digital Innovation Summit in Shanghai

Mr KK Chan, Senior Engineer of HKRITA, gives an account of the development of Green Machine at the China National Garment Technology Conference

Professor Xu Weilin (left), President of Wuhan Textile University, presents a commemorative gift to Mr Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA

 

Promoting Cross-sector Exchanges

To address complex social challenges, such as climate and environmental issues, collaboration among various stakeholders is necessary. Therefore, HKRITA organised three large-scale physical events last year, bringing together experts from different industries to share the latest developments in their respective fields and discuss how to join forces in addressing environmental challenges. In January, we organised the Innovation & Technology Symposium 2023 under the theme “Innovating Zero”. As our first physical event in three years, it explored the application of technology in achieving a net-zero carbon future. During Hong Kong Fashion Week in April, a seminar was held to introduce ongoing initiatives in functional fabrics, garment sorting, and recycling solutions for circularity. In September, the forum “Partners for Progress” was organised during the CENTRESTAGE, bringing together experts from the government, business, and academic sectors to share insights on timely responses to social and environmental issues through cross-sector collaborations.

The “Innovating Zero” symposium gathers leaders from various sectors including textiles, finance, investment, hospitality, and arts foundations to discuss initiatives for promoting net-zero carbon measures

The “Sustainable Solutions on Functional Materials, Textiles Sorting and Recycling for Circularity” seminar provides a platform for close interaction between speakers and participants

A representative from the academia shares how cross-disciplines collaboration can drive sustainable development in the “Partners for Progress” forum

 

Open Lab: Broadening Research Horizon

Open Lab is HKRITA’s key initiative on promoting sustainable development and new industrialisation. Its physical space is located at the Advanced Manufacturing Centre in the Tseung Kwan O InnoPark. In September, we invited industry partners to visit Open Lab and introduced the Pilot Plant and the Fashion Future Lab, along with over 80 sustainable development projects.

Ms Clara Tse, Senior Manager, Research Project Design of HKRITA introduces the Pilot Plant of Open Lab

Visitors learn about the sustainable development projects of Open Lab

 

A Strong Presence in Local Innovation Events

HKRITA has always maximised its presence in major local technology, fashion and business events. In October, Dr Gloria Yao hosted a panel discussion on “Innovative Development in Fashion Design” at the Fashion Summit. Also in October, HKRITA joined Innocarnival and showcased three awarded-winning projects, including Compact Electro-adhesion Gripper for Fabric Handling that had received a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury in the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. In November, HKRITA took part in the Gerontech and Innovation Expo (GIES) and exhibited a range of healthcare and protective textiles products. In December, HKRITA officially became a member of the Business Environmental Council, aiming to collaborate with like-minded organisations to promote economic and sustainable development.

Dr Gloria Yao, Director (Project Development) of HKRITA (first left) hosts a panel discussion on “Innovative Development in Fashion Design”

Ms Katherine Chan, Director (Business Development) of HKRITA, introduces the Smart Garment Sorting System for Recycling to Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (left)

Thermal and protective textile products are introduced in GIES

Ms Katherine Chan, Director (Business Development), receives the membership certificate from Mr Simon Ng, CEO of Business Environment Council

 

Enhancing International Communication

HKRITA has kept valuable communication channels with international organisations. Last year, we received a total of 70 delegations from overseas, the Mainland and Hong Kong. These groups include Testex, an international testing and certification organisation, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, and Textile Council of Hong Kong. In October, we invited the winners of Global Change Award 2023 organised by the H&M Foundation to visit our laboratories at the Hong Kong Science Park and hosted a half-day workshop. In November, we welcomed young scientists from the Hong Kong Laureate Forum and shared with them our recent technology achievements.

We have also been promoting our technologies overseas. In May, we participated in the “Biomaterials Reimagined” exhibition at the 2023 London Craft Week, showcasing a range of recycled textiles and circular technologies at The Mills Fabrica in London. In October, we joined” The ((Capsule))” held during Dutch Design Week and exhibited Green Machine and Garment-to-Garment (G2G) Recycle System. The G2G system was also selected as one of the environmental solutions for the Hong Kong Circular City Map by the Hong Kong Design Centre and CreativeNL, a Dutch public-private partnership organisation.

Last year, in addition to local social enterprise Comfort Me, HKRITA signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with four overseas institutions: Seiko Epson Corporation of Japan, the Fiber Innovation Incubator of Shinshu University in Japan, University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) in USA, and Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI). We look forward to enhancing technical exchanges with these institutions and elevating our research capabilities.

Dr Alex Chan, Senior Research Manager of HKRITA, explains Absorboost, an agricultural water retention agent developed using cotton textile waste, to the winners of the Global Change Award 2023

A group photo with young scientists of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum

Dr Gloria Yao, Director (Project Development) of HKRITA (front right) takes a photo with Dr Julius L. Leaño Jr. (front left), Director IV of DOST-PTRI, after signing the MoU

The “Biomaterials Reimagined” exhibition showcases recycled textile products using food waste and textile waste
Photo by The Mills Fabrica

Green Machine the hydrothermal cotton-PET separation system is introduced at the Dutch Design Week

Representatives from the Netherlands consulate-general in Hong Kong and Macao and CreativeNL visit Garment-to-Garment (G2G) Recycle System

 

Receiving International and Domestic Recognition

Our projects received a dozen awards last year. Green Machine received its first Edison Award, as well as winning a 2023 China Patent Award of Garment Industry and a China Garment Industry Technological Progress and Contribution Award. It was also shortlisted for the 2023 Responsible Business Award by Reuters Events. Our project Acousweep was also selected as one of the top 100 global technology innovations in the R&D 100 Awards. Additionally, GlobalData presented the Just Style Excellence Awards to us, recognising our contributions in advancing textile recycling technology and promoting sustainable development. We also achieved remarkable results in two competitions, the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva and the World Changing Ideas Awards. We would like to express our gratitude to our industry partners for their support.

To keep stakeholders worldwide updated on our latest developments, we established channels on Apple Podcast and Spotify last year, regularly uploading programmes related to textile technology and industry trends. We will continue to share our news and the industry updates through various channels in the coming year.

HKRITA received 20 awards last year

Green Machine garners both China Patent Awards of Garment Industry and China Garment Industry Technological Progress and Contribution Awards

HKRITA’s Apple Podcast and Spotify channels