Swiss outdoor brand Odlo and chemical recycling pioneer DePoly have teamed up to explore a circular solution for fabric waste, with the goal of creating the first circular base layer using advanced recycling technology.
Odlo, a renowned Swiss outdoor apparel brand, and DePoly, a leading chemical recycling start-up, have joined forces in a proof-of-concept project to tackle textile waste. The partnership aims to convert waste fabric from Odlo’s popular Active Warm base layers into recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), marking a significant step towards circularity in the apparel industry.
The collaboration will see DePoly use its advanced chemical recycling technology to break down 20 kilograms of fabric cut-offs from Odlo’s base layers into monomers, which will then be reassembled into virgin-quality recycled PET yarn. If successful, this process could lay the foundation for Odlo’s first circular base layer.
Johanna Heimlicher, Sustainability Director at Odlo, emphasized the importance of this initiative for the company’s broader circularity goals: “This collaboration represents a key milestone in Odlo’s circularity journey. If successful, it will add an exciting dimension to our ReWEAR program and help us achieve both waste reduction and material reuse targets.”
Promoting circularity in the textile industry
The project is funded by a CHF 24,000 innovation grant from Innosuisse, awarded through the Innovation Booster “Applied Circular Sustainability” program. DePoly and Odlo’s joint proposal was selected from several applicants seeking support for circular solutions.
Tijana Ivanovic, Senior Business Development Manager at DePoly, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “We’re proud to partner with Odlo to find circular solutions for synthetic materials. This project could have a lasting impact on the textile industry’s sustainability efforts.”
Odlo’s legacy of sustainable innovation dates back nearly 30 years. The company introduced a recycling guarantee in 1996 and launched its 100% recycled base layer, Green Tec, in 2011. The proof-of-concept with DePoly will run from October to December 2024, and if successful, the first circular base layer collection could be launched by 2026.
