Fashion for Good has announced the Cotton Reloop Matrix project to drive the adoption of recycled cotton. The initiative aims to build a data-driven framework for the industry by benchmarking the performance of recycled cotton yarns against brand expectations. Participating companies include BESTSELLER, C&A, Interloop, Reformation, Arvind, Shahi, and Uster.
Cotton accounts for 19% of global fibre production and a core part of the material mix. However, mechanical recycling shortens and weakens the fibers, which often limits the percentage of recycled cotton that can be used in new yarns.
Establishing a shared industry reference point
Testing in the industry is currently fragmented, with brands and recyclers relying on isolated data sets. This lack of alignment makes it difficult to adopt recycled cotton on a broader scale.
The Cotton Reloop Matrix aims to bridge this gap. In its first phase, the project will map current recycler offerings against brand requirements to produce a quality matrix. This matrix will highlight where recycled cotton is already commercially viable.
The second phase will focus on production trials. Selected recyclers and project partners will develop 10 demonstrator fabrics under real mill conditions, alongside five dedicated quality-improvement trials. Ultimately, the project will clearly define the balance between quality, cost, and recycled content.
The findings will be compiled into an open-source spinning guide, alongside a roadmap to support the wider adoption of recycled cotton across various product categories.
