The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has been working with stakeholders on the Chinese Mainland to advance the commercialization of sustainable supply chains in textiles and other sectors.

HKRITA CEO Jake Koh recently joined leaders from several sectors at the Corporate Sustainability Development Conference in Shanghai to discuss how to build sustainable supply chains through end-to-end carbon reduction and cross-industry collaboration.

Koh and fellow participants from Shanghai municipal government, the United Nations and L’Oreal Group, among others, discussed challenges in decarbonization and supply chain management and explored pathways for cross-sector cooperation to improve digital monitoring, carbon footprint transparency and long-term strategies for sustainable supply chains.

HKRITA’s flagship innovation, Green Machine, was honored at the event as one of the 20 Shanghai Outstanding ESG Cases for its role in advancing circular innovation.

Green Machine uses hydrothermal treatment to separate and recycle blended polyester-cotton waste to help solve a long-standing technical bottleneck for textile-to-textile recycling. The system enables closed-loop recycling, which extends material life cycles and reduces cotton emissions and pollution.

HKRITA said Green Machine fosters collaboration among raw material suppliers, manufacturers and brands to deliver broad environmental, societal and governance benefits.

“The success of the Green Machine demonstrates HKRITA’s achievement in green innovation and circular technology,” Koh said. “Our participation in the Corporate Sustainability Development Conference not only brought recognition for our technology but also enabled valuable exchanges with leaders from diverse industries on supply chain decarbonization, technology application and market development.”

HKRITA also has partnered with Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University. It signed a memorandum of cooperation on technology transfer services, covering talent and product development, as well as start-up incubation in the textile value chain.

Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University is a key training institution for high-skilled talent in the textile and apparel sector. The partnership between HKRITA and Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University aims to strengthen connections across the textile value chain, promote information exchange, technology sharing and capacity.

This is the first time the university has signed an international research cooperation memorandum.

“Our collaboration with Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University expands the synergy between Hong Kong’s research strengths and mainland industrial resources, accelerating technology transfer and fostering cross-sector collaboration,” Koh said.