Turkish company RE & UP develops low-carbon textile recycling technology

The Turkish company RE & UP has developed a new technology to transform end-of-life clothing into high-quality cotton and polyester fibers. Operating out of a factory in Gaziantep, the process creates materials for new garments, such as jeans and t-shirts, with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

According to the company, the recycled cotton uses 89% less water and reduces carbon emissions by 62% compared to natural cotton, while also conserving agricultural land. The company has received 101 million euros in loans from Proparco, the private sector subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD).

RE & UP currently has a production capacity of 80,000 tonnes of recycled cotton and polyester per year, with a goal to reach 1 million tonnes through global expansion projects, including a potential facility in France. The company’s output is already being used by brands such as Uniqlo.