Textile Recycling in the Circular Supply Chain (2024–2031 Forecast)

 

The Textile Recycling Market, valued at approximately USD 6.45 billion in 2022, is projected to reach around USD 9.89 billion by 2032. This growth is driven by increasing environmental awareness, rising demand for sustainable fashion, and advancements in recycling technologies. The market is expected to expand as more industries adopt eco-friendly practices to reduce textile waste.

Market Growth and Size

Several key factors are contributing to this growth. Firstly, the rising awareness about the environmental impact of textile waste has been pivotal. In the last decade, textile production and disposal have resulted in large quantities of waste being sent to landfills. Textile recycling offers an alternative to landfilling by transforming waste textiles into valuable new products. Additionally, recycling helps reduce the consumption of water and energy during the production process of new textiles, supporting the broader push toward sustainability.

Governments around the world have also introduced legislation and policies that promote textile recycling. For instance, in Europe, countries are pushing for the circular economy model, which emphasizes reuse, recycling, and waste reduction. Regulations such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) are being enforced to hold manufacturers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products, further fueling the demand for textile recycling services.

Market Trends

One of the most important trends in the textile recycling market is the growing adoption of circular fashion. Brands are increasingly adopting closed-loop systems where materials from old or discarded clothing are recycled into new garments. This trend is largely driven by consumer demand for sustainable and ethically produced fashion. Several major brands have announced ambitious targets to use 100% recycled or sustainably sourced textiles in their collections by 2030, further increasing demand for textile recycling solutions.

Technological advancements are also shaping the market landscape. New recycling techniques, such as chemical recycling, are gaining traction, enabling the recycling of mixed-fiber fabrics, which were traditionally hard to recycle. Companies like Worn Again Technologies and Resyntex are at the forefront of developing technologies that convert end-of-life textiles into virgin-quality raw materials. These advancements are expected to unlock further growth opportunities for the market as they make it easier to recycle a wider range of materials, from polyester blends to synthetic fibers.

The shift from fast fashion to slow fashion is another notable trend. Consumers are becoming more conscious of their purchasing habits, preferring quality over quantity. This shift is encouraging brands to create longer-lasting products, which, when eventually disposed of, can be effectively recycled, thus supporting the overall textile recycling ecosystem.

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Market Dynamics

The market is highly dynamic, driven by a complex interplay of various factors. While regulatory support and technological advancements are driving market growth, the industry faces several challenges as well. One of the primary challenges is the lack of infrastructure for collecting and processing textile waste, especially in developing countries. Without an efficient and widespread collection system, much of the textile waste generated still ends up in landfills.

Another challenge is the cost associated with recycling. While mechanical recycling methods are relatively cheaper, they often result in a downgrade in the quality of the recycled material, limiting its use in high-value applications. Chemical recycling, on the other hand, offers higher-quality outputs but comes with a higher price tag due to its energy-intensive nature. Bridging this cost gap and making recycling more economically viable will be key to the long-term growth of the market.

The fluctuating prices of virgin materials, such as cotton and polyester, also impact the textile recycling market. When the price of virgin materials falls, it can reduce the demand for recycled alternatives, as manufacturers may opt for the cheaper raw materials instead of investing in recycling processes.

Moreover, the textile recycling market is witnessing increasing investment from both public and private sectors. Governments and international organizations are providing funding to enhance recycling technologies, and private companies are entering the market with innovative business models and advanced recycling technologies. These investments are expected to drive innovation and scale in the market.

Demand and Segment Analysis

The demand for textile recycling services is rising across various industries, from fashion to home textiles. The largest demand currently comes from the apparel industry, which generates a significant portion of textile waste. The need for sustainable fashion solutions is a key driver of demand in this segment. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their clothing choices, leading to a surge in demand for recycled fabrics.

The home textiles segment is also seeing an increase in demand for recycling services. This includes products such as bed linens, curtains, and upholstery, which are being recycled to produce new products, such as insulation materials and car interiors.

By product type, the market is segmented into post-consumer waste and pre-consumer waste. Post-consumer waste, which includes discarded clothing and household textiles, accounts for the majority of the market share. The recycling of post-consumer waste is driven by take-back schemes and donations, which allow old garments to be collected for recycling. Pre-consumer waste, which includes offcuts and scraps generated during textile manufacturing, is also being recycled but at a smaller scale.

The market is also segmented by material type. Cotton and polyester are the most commonly recycled materials, given their widespread use in the textile industry. However, mixed fibers, such as polyester-cotton blends, are gaining importance as recycling technologies advance. These materials were previously difficult to recycle but are now becoming viable options for textile recycling due to innovations in chemical recycling methods.

Competitive Landscape

• Aditya Birla Group (Birla Cellulose)
• Bls Ecotech Ltd
• Boer Group Recycling Solutions
• Carbios
• CuRe Technology
• Ecotex Germany GmbH
• Evrnu SPC
• FABSCRAP
• Hyosung TNC
• Infinited Fiber Company
• LENZING AG
• Martex Fiber
• PurFi Global LLC
• Renewcell
• SOEX Textil-Vermarktungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
• UNIFI
• Worn Again Technologies

The global textile recycling market is segmented as:

By Process

• Mechanical
• Chemical

By Material

• Cotton
• Wool
• Polyester
• Polyamide
• Others

By End-Use

• Apparel
• Home Furnishings
• Industrial
• Non-woven
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Region

• North America
• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• The UK
• Spain
• Germany
• Italy
• Nordic countries
• Denmark
• Finland
• Iceland
• Sweden
• Norway
• Benelux Reunion
• Belgium
• The Netherlands
• Luxembourg
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Southeast Asia
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Rest of Southeast Asia
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America

Regional Analysis

Regionally, Europe dominates the textile recycling market, driven by stringent environmental regulations, a well-developed recycling infrastructure, and strong consumer demand for sustainable products. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden are leading the way in textile recycling initiatives. The European Union’s focus on the circular economy has also encouraged investment in recycling technologies, which has further boosted the region’s market growth.

North America is another significant market, with the United States and Canada showing strong growth potential. The rise of sustainable fashion movements and corporate responsibility initiatives is driving demand in the region. Many fashion brands in North America are setting ambitious sustainability targets, further fueling the demand for textile recycling services.

Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The region is home to major textile manufacturing hubs like China, India, and Bangladesh, where a large volume of textile waste is generated. Governments in these countries are starting to recognize the importance of textile recycling and are investing in infrastructure to support the industry. Moreover, rising consumer awareness about sustainability in these regions is expected to drive demand for recycled textiles.