DePoly and Odlo partner to develop company’s first circular base layer
In a proof-of-concept combining Swiss brands and common ambitions, the chemical recycling pioneer and outdoor apparel icon will attempt to convert waste fabrics into virgin-quality recycled PET.
(October 8th, Hünenberg, CH) - This month, DePoly – the award-winning chemical recycling pioneer and Odlo, the iconic outdoor brand (both based in Switzerland) – will explore a proof-of-concept that could solve a massive waste challenge.
Using 20 kilograms of cut-off fabric, taken from Odlo’s popular Active Warm base layers, DePoly – an award-winning startup – will attempt to break down the materials and convert them into monomers (single synthetic compounds), then reassemble the material into recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarn – the beginnings of what could become the company’s first circular base layer.
“This collaboration represents a key milestone in Odlo’s circularity journey,” adds Johanna Heimlicher, sustainability director at Odlo. “If successful, we see this adding an exciting dimension to our ReWEAR program, ultimately supporting our waste and virgin material reduction targets at once.”
Funded by Innosuisse
To fund the proof-of-concept, DePoly and Odlo applied for a CHF 24,000 innovation grant from the Innovation Booster, ‘Applied Circular Sustainability’ – one of 18 Innovation Boosters powered by Innosuisse, the Swiss Federal Innovation Agency. This project was selected amongst several seeking funding. “We both have ambitious goals, and we’re very proud to partner with businesses like Odlo to find circular solutions for synthetic materials,” adds Tijana Ivanovic, DePoly’s Senior Business Development Manager.
A history of innovation
Odlo has been pursuing sustainable innovation for nearly 30 years. The company introduced a recycling guarantee back in 1996; fifteen years later, it released a one hundred percent recycled base layer called “Green Tec.” If successful, this project furthers the company’s current ambitions of “closing the loop” by pursuing product types that limit waste, curb the use of non-renewable resources, and positively impact its product environmental footprint. The proof-of-concept will run from October to December 2024. The outcome, if successful, will be knitted fabric which could form the start of a base layer capsule collection in 2026 or 2027.
About DePoly
DePoly is a Swiss cleantech company specializing in advanced recycling of polyester and PET. Recognized as a 2024 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, and winner of the Top 100 Swiss Startup Award in 2024, DePoly challenges the status quo on textile waste management. Through its patented technology, DePoly has pioneered a solution to tackle polyester (PET fiber) and break it down to its building blocks (monomers of PET) called Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG). The process yields products identical to oil-based counterparts that can be used to produce recycled PET and polyester, reducing the need for fossil fuels, reducing waste and contributing to circularity in the textile industry.