The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has developed the Green Machine as the world’s first technology that separates blended textiles on a large scale without any loss in quality. This advancement simplifies the complex processes involved with recycling materials like cotton-polyester blends, offering a more efficient solution to the industry’s environmental concerns.
The Green Machine is an innovative recycling system designed to handle cotton and polyester blends efficiently. It operates using only heat, water, pressure, and a small amount (less than 15%) of a biodegradable green chemical. This modular technology can be scaled to fit different factory sizes and setups, making it both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. With a closed-loop process that recycles water, heat, and chemicals, it produces no additional pollution. In just two hours, it recovers over 97% of polyester fibers while using only 19 GJ of energy per ton—, significantly less than the 67 GJ needed for traditional PET production.
Through hydrothermal and dissolution treatments, the Green Machine decomposes cotton into cellulose powder and separates high-quality polyester fibers, allowing for fiber-to-fiber recycling. The recycled materials can be reused in various applications, such as re-spinning into new textiles or developing functional
products like super-absorbent polymers and water-repellent finishes. This complete treatment process ensures that post-consumer textiles are transformed back into valuable raw materials, promoting the goal of “end-to-end recycling.”
The Green Machine is transforming the fashion industry by making textile recycling more efficient and accessible. Its journey began with a breakthrough in 2017, leading to a prototype in Hong Kong by 2018 that attracted the attention of major brands. In 2020, Kahatex in Indonesia placed the first commercial order, leading to the release of collections by Monki that utilize this groundbreaking technology. As partnerships grew, significant orders followed, including a 2021
order from ISKO in Türkiye and plans to implement the machine in Cambodia. The Green Machine not only recycles blended textiles but also supports sustainable practices in cotton farming, marking a crucial step towards making recycling standard in the fashion world and ultimately helping to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable future.
References:
1- https://www.hkrita.com/en/our-innovation-tech/projects/green-machine-phase-2
2- https://hmfoundation.com/project/recycling-the-green-machine/
4- https://www.textilegence.com/en/hkrita-crowns-green-machine-solution-with-award/