PVH Corp has signed an agreement for biorecycling and joins a fiber-to-fiber consortium that has been founded with On, Patagonia, PUMA, and Salomon. The consortium, aims to test and enhance biological recycling technology on their own products, using Carbios’ biorecycling process at an industrial scale.

Carbios, a French company committed to accelerating the transition of the textile industry towards a circular economy, The ultimate goal of the partnership is to prove fiber-to-fiber closed circularity.

During the two-year collaboration, Carbios and its partners will work together to deliver the biological recycling of polyester items at an industrial-scale, including thorough sorting and dismantling technologies for complex textile waste. Carbios has developed a unique and sustainable technology that uses highly selective enzymes to recycle blended feedstocks, reducing the extensive sorting required by current thermomechanical recycling methods.

Globally, only 13% of textile waste is currently recycled and mainly in lower quality applications such as padding, insulation, or rags. The remaining 87% is destined for landfill or incineration. Consortium members will supply feedstock in the form of apparel, underwear, footwear, and sportswear to work on improving textile recycling technologies.

In 2023, a new line for textile PET waste will be operational at Carbios’ demonstration facility through the "LIFE Cycle of PET" project, co-funded by the European Union. This move is in anticipation of future regulations, such as the mandatory separate collection of textile waste in Europe from 1 January 2025.

The partnership between Carbios and PVH signifies the textile industry's continued commitment towards circularity and sustainability. With innovative technology and collaboration, the industry can move towards a more sustainable future, reducing waste and preserving natural resources.