Premium denim ingredient brand ISKO has signed a licensing agreement with textile research and development company HKRITA to develop the revolutionary Green Machine – a one-of-a-kind technology that fully separates and recycles cotton and polyester blends at scale.

This will help ISKO improve and commercialize recycling technologies which will eventually enable the company to offer a 100 per cent post-consumer recycling solution to all of its customers. In addition, ISKO and HKRITA will work together to develop related technology, strengthening the company’s position as a leader in sustainability.

Fatih Konukoğlu, CEO, ISKO says, the Green Machine uses an innovative and ultra-efficient hydrothermal treatment method that decomposes cotton into cellulose powders and enables the separation of polyester fibres from blended fabrics. The process is a closed loop and uses only water, heat and less than 5 per cent biodegradable green chemicals. Crucially, this method maintains the quality of polyester fibers; the cellulose powders, which are clean and toxic-free, can be used in a variety of ways.

Investment in this new technology is the latest in ISKO’s ongoing drive for advancements in sustainability. As a part of the company’s R-TWO™ program, it is also working to develop fabrics with a guaranteed minimum 50 per cent+ GRS (Global Recycle Standard) recycled content blend. This will significantly reduce the carbon and water footprint of a fabric, as well as make it easy for consumers to trace a garment’s sustainable journey step-by-step from the beginning of the supply chain through to the end product they purchase.