SINGAPORE, January 22, 2025 – SHEIN, the global online fashion retailer, has announced a significant milestone in its evoluSHEIN strategy by developing an innovative polyester recycling process in partnership with Donghua University, a prominent textile research institute.
This new recycling process can utilize a broader range of materials, including pre- and post-consumer polyester sources such as textile waste and PET bottles. The technology aims to enhance cost efficiency and flexibility in sourcing feedstock. Testing has indicated that the recycled polyester produced can be recycled multiple times without degrading the fabric's properties.
SHEIN plans to collaborate with selected fibre manufacturers to transition the technology from laboratory-scale to a commercial facility, targeting large-scale production of recycled polyester fibres by June 2025, with an anticipated annual output of 3,000 metric tonnes.
Leonard Lin, President of EMEA and General Manager of Singapore at SHEIN, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, aiming to reduce reliance on virgin polyester and promote industry-wide transitions towards recycled materials. SHEIN has set a goal to incorporate 31% of recycled polyester into its products by 2030.
The collaboration with Donghua University aligns with SHEIN's ongoing efforts to support circular solutions and the adoption of next-generation fibres, following previous initiatives such as the evoluSHEIN x Anitta collection, which features styles made from recycled textile waste.