The carbon accounting of the apparel industry is being rewritten. Data from the China Chemical Fiber Industry Association reveals the true value of recycled polyester: each ton of recycled polyester saves 1.5 tons of crude oil, 3.2 tons of water, and reduces 3.2 tons of CO2 emissions compared to virgin polyester. These figures underpin the logic of the fiber industry's shift from high energy consumption to a circular economy.
Technological Breakthrough: Low-Temperature Atmospheric Depolymerization Breaks Recycling Bottleneck
China generates over 10 million tons of waste textiles annually, most of which were previously incinerated or landfilled, wasting resources and burdening the environment. T&H New Material's three-year R&D effort resulted in a waste textile green recycling technology that uses a low-temperature atmospheric process, replacing traditional high-temperature high-pressure methods. According to project engineer Zhu Hongbao, this process reduces energy consumption of natural gas and steam by over 50% and achieves a recycling rate of 97%. This means that for every ton of waste clothing processed, less than 30 kg of residue remains, far lower than traditional processes.
From waste clothing to recycled fiber crystals, the process involves crushing, hydrolysis depolymerization, impurity filtration, and decolorization acidification. T&H's green manufacturing plant in Yantai has realized this fully closed loop. The resulting core raw material, rPET, is the base for zero-carbon workwear.
Full Lifecycle Decarbonization: From Fiber to Garment
The concept of zero-carbon workwear extends beyond fiber recycling. Project leader Shen Yanbing notes that zero carbon refers to full lifecycle carbon neutrality from recycled material use through spinning, dyeing, and garment manufacturing. In dyeing, the company has deployed digital printing technology, which eliminates traditional steaming and washing steps, reducing carbon emissions by over 35%. Digital printing for denim reduces water usage by more than 90%.
Currently, T&H has developed over ten zero-carbon products, including waterproof windproof jackets and down coats, covering multiple scenarios. According to industry public data, the company has reached cooperation intentions with nearly ten international brands including Nike and Adidas. This indicates that recycled polyester technology is moving from lab to commercial scale, with downstream brand procurement being the key driver for supply chain implementation.
Industry Impact: Cost and Supply Chain Restructuring for Recycled Polyester
For buyers and fabric mills, the economics of recycled polyester are changing. On one hand, low-temperature atmospheric technology significantly reduces energy costs in the recycling process, narrowing the cost gap between rPET and virgin polyester. On the other hand, international carbon tariff policies like the EU's CBAM are accelerating, and using recycled materials directly translates into compliance cost advantages for exporters.
From a supply chain perspective, the waste textile recycling project means textile companies are no longer just consumers of raw materials but can also become suppliers. T&H's technology has opened a closed loop from waste clothing to recycled fiber to new garments, providing brands with a quantifiable solution for Scope 3 emission reduction targets.