Zara Launches Recycled Polycotton Collection — Retail Bum

Zara has launched a new womenswear collection made using recycled polycotton blended textiles in collaboration with textile waste recycling company Circ.

The collection includes lyocell garments that have been made using 50% recycled polycotton waste and polyester garments made using 43% recycled polycotton waste. It comprises tie-front shorts, a front-knotted blouse and wide-leg trousers retailing for $69.90.

Circ utilizes a hydrothermal process that liquefies polyester, which is then used to develop cellulosic and synthetic materials. Meanwhile, the cotton derivate from the process is turned into pulp, which is used for making traditional lyocell.

“This is the first-time recycled polyester and lyocell clothing manufactured from polycotton textile waste is in the hands of consumers, and we are taking important steps towards making circularity the new standard,” said Peter Majeranowski, CEO of Circ.

“Circ and Zara want to create a new future in which the garments hanging in our closets are made from recycled materials that can then be recycled over and over again.”

The launch of the collection follows Inditex’s $30 million Series B investment in Circ last year, along with South Carolina textile manufacturer Milliken & Co. and Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The investment was the first of its kind made under Inditex’s Sustainability Innovation Hub, which aims to promote circularity through technological innovation.

Originally published at https://retailbum.com on April 18, 2023.