New recycling method liquifies clothing

Evrnu

A new recycling technology, developed by Evrnu, is being used to produce a limited-edition Adidas by Stella McCartney sweatshirt

Spotted: A new recycling technology, developed by Evrnu, is being used to produce a limited-edition Adidas by Stella McCartney sweatshirt. The Infinite Hoodie is the first commercially-produced garment to use the new method, called NuCycl.

Although many methods exist for recycling cotton into new products, such as insulation, it is harder to remake new yarn strong enough to be made into clothing. This is because most fabric recycling involves chopping the fabric into smaller pieces, which weakens the material. 

Instead of chopping, Evrnu uses a chemical process to break cotton materials down into their polymer form, then builds them back up to create new yarn. Waste garments are first turned into a pulp and liquefied, before being extruded to form a new yarn. This yarn can then be mixed with new fibres and woven into cloth.

Rather than manufacture products itself, Evrnu works with brands to develop custom fabrics and then licenses the technology to garment factories. According to co-founder Stacy Flynn, the process could help to make fast-fashion more sustainable. 

Springwise has covered a number of other companies innovating to recycle clothing. In fact, one of these, Bolt Threads, is also partnering with Adidas by Stella McCartney to develop a tennis dress made using MicroSilk. This is a protein-based material made with organic ingredients like water, sugar, and yeast and has the ability to fully biodegrade at the end of its life. Other renewable clothing innovations recently covered by Springwise include T-shirts made from plants and couture clothing made from seaweed.