Zara, in collaboration with textile recycling company Circ, is taking a crucial step towards circularity in the fashion industry with the launch of the first collection made from recycled materials from polyester and cotton blended textile waste. This women's capsule collection will be available in 11 markets from 17 April.
The collaboration between Circ and Zara is part of the Inditex Group's decision to enter Circ's capital last year with the aim of accelerating the industrial scaling of solutions aimed at advancing circularity in the textile sector. This participation is the first of its kind by Inditex within the framework of its Sustainability Innovation Hub (SIH) as a stimulus to technological innovation and the improvement of circularity in the product.
New Recycling Technology to Separate Fibers
Zara and Circ are tackling one of the most important challenges in the fashion industry: separating polyester and cotton fibers, a fabric commonly known as "polycotton", to develop new recycled raw materials with which to create new garments. Circ's innovative recycling technology has made it possible, for the first time, to separate combined polyester and cotton fibers and recover the two components.
Thanks to the use of this technology, Zara and Circ have developed a collection of lyocell garments in which 50% of the fiber comes from polycotton waste and polyester garments with 43% of this fiber coming from this textile waste. Under the creative direction of the Zara Woman design team, the collection features fluid, lightweight pieces in burgundy tones, designed to be recycled once again at the end of their life cycle.
This is the first time garments made from recycled polyester and lyocell from polycotton waste are in the hands of consumers, says Majeranowski, insisting that we are taking important steps to try to make circularity the new standard in the textile industry. As part of the Inditex Group, Zara aims to use 100% Better Cotton Initiative-certified cotton and recycled cotton by 2023.
Circ's Circular Economy
Indeed, Circ's mission is to advance the concept of a smart and functional wardrobe thanks to its patented technology that transforms waste from the textile industry into viable fabrics that can be recycled over and over again. That is why it is working to develop a fully circular economy in the fashion industry.
Circ believes that its partnership with Zara can make a truly momentous change in how consumers view sustainability in the fashion industry, as this is the first time that garments made from recycled polyester and lyocell from polycotton waste are in the hands of consumers. The 'mini-collection' is made up of four garments: a pair of trousers with pockets, shorts, a flowing blouse, and a top. The line appears to already be a success, as many of the items are already sold out on the brand's online shop.