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Circular Economy
From waste to fashion: Recycling polyester Creating a circular business model for discarded industrial polyester straps and round slings. HIGHLIGHTS • A successful proof of concept turned discarded polyester products from the industry into PET pellets to be used in fashion. • The first trial of a mechanically recycled raw material has been used for sample testing for a product line from Filippa K.
How can one industry’s waste become another’s resource? Together with Swedish clothing company Filippa K and privately owned industrial group Axel Johnson International, Axfoundation hopes to develop a new circular ecosystem for polyester. Discarded straps and round slings from heavy industry can get a new life in fashion.
“Worn-out straps and round slings for transport and heavy lifting might seem a world away from fashion, but the two industries have one thing in common: the use of virgin polyester as a key material. Due to the significant volumes of discarded polyester and an increasing demand for recycled polyester in fashion, we see great potential in a larger scale circular model.” Hanna Skoog, Program Director, Circular Economy, Axfoundation “Our partnership with Axfoundation and Filippa K to recycle polyester is a great example of using innovation to explore more circular systems and improve resource efficiency while also developing our businesses.” Lena Ekbom, former Head of Sustainability, Axel Johnson International “We already have circularity as a strategy within our own products and production. Moving into a waste stream from a different industry is something we absolutely believe in. It fits in with our values.” Jodi Everding, Fabric and Trim Manager, Filippa K