Monki presents the first machine that allows the complete separation and recycling of cotton and polyester blends in large quantities. According to the H&M-owned fashion brand, with the 'Green Machine', Monki becomes the first brand in the world that can recycle blended fibres on a large scale.
In detail the process works like this, as Monki explains:
- The mixed fabric of polyester and cotton is placed in the Green Machine, which separates these blended fibers with a hydrothermal process in a closed circuit, using heat, water and less than 5% of green, biodegradable chemicals.
- A large oven dries the separated fibers.
- The result: separated fibers that can be used to produce a new garment – the cotton is extracted in powder form.
The Green Machine is the result of a research collaboration between the non-profit H&M Foundation, HKRITA (Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Apparel) and one of Monki's main suppliers based in Indonesia.
Monki tracksuit produced with the Green Machine
The first apparel items using the Green Machine technology will be sold by end of November: A gray tracksuit will be available online and carries the embroidered message "Respect your mother (nature)" on the hoodie and track pants. The current collection is designed for smaller quantities, but the brand aims to bring this production process to market on a larger scale by autumn 2021.
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