H&M funds research

The non-profit H&M Foundation and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) have entered into a four-year partnership to develop technologies to recycle blend textiles into new fabrics and yarns. The technology will be licensed widely to ensure broad market access and maximum impact. Apparel and textile products made from blended materials account for a high proportion of all textiles and apparel in the market today. However, no commercially viable separation, sorting and recycling technologies are available for many of the most popular materials, such as cotton and polyester blends. The H&M Foundation has contributed $6.5 million. The Innovation and Technology Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government will provide additional substantial research funding and support.