Fabric scraps from garment factories and discarded clothing are increasingly being collected, recycled and turned back into fashion products. More than two million tons of textile waste is emerging as a rich new source of raw materials at a time when the industry still relies heavily on imported inputs. Vietnam’s textile waste recycling industry is attracting growing interest from global fashion groups and local companies as they seek opportunities in the circular economy. A positive sign Consumers are unlikely to pay premium prices for products made from recycled fibers if the quality is lower than that of virgin raw materials. However, interest in recycled products could increase if they offer the same comfort and durability as new fibers at a lower cost. “Corèle has achieved that right here in Vietnam,” said Cao Quoc Khanh, chief operating officer of Corèle, a lingerie, swimwear and sportswear brand under France’s B’Lao – Scavi – Corèle group. Khanh described the process as recycling, known as fiber-to-fiber and textile-to-textile recycling, within the industry. He said this form of high-value recycling currently accounts for only about 12% to 18% of textile recycling activities in Vietnam. Vietnam is home to around 7,000 textile and garment companies. According […]