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Worn Again Technologies is continuing to enable a Circular Economy for Switzerland.

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In partnership with Institut für Werkstofftechnik und Kunststoffverarbeitung (IWK), Worn Again, Sulzer and others have succeeded in their joint bid for grant funding from Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency.

The flagship project, called “Towards a NetZero Plastics Industry”, will create a platform for Swiss companies to foster collaboration and drive systemic change within the plastics industry to achieve a sustainable future. Worn Again’s contribution will be focussed on a specific upcycling pathway, converting used textiles into a higher-grade PET which is ideally suited to an important Swiss manufacturing sector, technical parts,

The project, which will start in January 2024 and run through 2028, aligns with Worn Again’s plans to bring online it’s demonstration chemical recycling plant in Winterthur. Worn Again will produce PET for application testing within Sulzer Chemtech’s technology to convert the raw material into advanced foams, and within various injection moulding technologies at IWK’s facility. This activity will be underpinned by ongoing assessment of climate benefits which will feed into a digital decarbonisation tool that IWK will develop for dissemination to Swiss manufacturers.

Toby Moss, Director of Business Development said: “We want to use our demo plant and develop the surrounding value chain as a blueprint for building out the Circular Economy globally. Our clients want our technology to deliver environmental benefit and generate value. In addition to our core fibre-to-fibre offering, by enabling non-textile outcomes for Worn Again’s circular products, our clients can leverage their plants to maximise both outcomes.”

Worn Again, Sulzer and others have already established the Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem. This project will create additional mechanisms for these companies to contribute to a circular economy in Switzerland and as a potential blueprint for expanding this new value chain elsewhere.

Worn Again Technologies will support ACT UK by bringing its recycling know-how and through the use of its 1,000 tonne per year demonstration plant based in Winterthur, Switzerland.

Worn Again Technologies

Worn Again is the catalyst of a true circular economy for textiles, believing that the only way forward is through better, profitable processes. Worn Again has led the industry for years with a dedicated team of innovators, moving the industry in a new direction in partnership with retailers, manufacturers, and innovators who share Worn Again’s commitment to sustainable materials—and sustainable business growth.

Worn Again’s innovative chemical recycling process reclaims virgin-quality products and returns them to the supply chain. Its scalable process—developed through investment, research, and dedication—allows textile manufacturers to separate and decontaminate PET resin and cellulose from end-of-life textiles. Worn Again enables plant operators to become an essential part of the textile industry’s future, producing superior materials for manufacturers across multiple industries and becoming a solution for an economically fractured part of the supply chain.

With reliable access to reclaimed, virgin-quality synthetic and natural materials, manufacturers can authentically offer high-quality, sustainably made options to their retail buyers. Worn Again guides its partners into the future with a profitable business built around large-scale textile recycling. Everyone, from manufacturers to consumers, will be able to contribute to reducing waste. Within a truly circular economy, everyone helps protect the planet from the mistakes of the past.

Worn Again Technologies joins pivotal alliance to advance a circular, waste-free textile future

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Worn Again Technologies, a pioneer in the true circular economy for textiles, has announced its membership of the newly formed Alliance of Textile Chemical Recyclers (ACTR). Spearheaded by Accelerating Circularity, this partnership aligns perfectly with Worn Again Technologies’ mission to repurpose waste materials back into the supply chain, signaling a shift away from the old-fashioned linear textile industry.

The ACTR aims to provide the textile industry with accurate information on textile chemical recycling through a unified voice. The association aims to meet these goals through educational, outreach and engagement opportunities, with the first step being the introduction of a dictionary of common terms to educate the industry on the chemical recycling of textiles.

Collaborating with other leaders in the field, Worn Again Technologies and its fellow members are committed to delivering sustainable initiatives. These include advocating for chemical recycling solutions to reduce the volume of textile waste directed to landfills and incinerators, ensuring a supply of sustainably sourced, circular materials and assisting brands and retailers in reducing their CO2 footprints.

Worn Again Technologies is at the forefront of the creation of a sustainable textiles industry with its chemical recycling technologies. A testament to this commitment is the development of its state-of-the-art textile recycling demo plant in Winterthur, Switzerland. This facility, designed to divert up to 1,000 tons of textiles annually from incineration, showcases its closed-loop chemical recycling technology aligning with ACTR’s goal to drive awareness about how this process can benefit the textile industry.

“We formed this collective to move chemical recycling technology forward, share common definitions, and address policies in a collaborative way to maximize the elimination of textile waste to landfills and incineration” explained Karla Magruder, Founder and President of Accelerating Circularity. “Chemical recycling technology has many benefits, including quality more similar to virgin fiber and the ability to recycle multiple times.”

Erik Koep, CEO at Worn Again Technologies, commented: “Becoming a member of the ACTR underscores our commitment to revolutionizing the textile industry. The potential of chemical recycling is vast, promising end products with quality akin to virgin fibers and the opportunity for further reuse. As leading experts in the chemical recycling of textiles, we bring technical know-how that will help drive impactful outreach activities across the industry. Together, we’re not just imagining a world without textile waste, we’re actively helping to build it.”

A person is standing in an indoor environment, holding a cardboard box with a green recycle symbol on it.

Worn Again Technologies draws closer to full textile circularity

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Worn Again Technologies is helping to evolve the supply chain of feedstocks needed for the development of a global, circular and more sustainable textile industry by participating in an innovative end-of-use material sorting initiative. As part of the UK-based Autosort for Circular Textiles Demonstrator (ACT UK) project, the chemical recycling technology innovator will provide input and insights into the needs of processors as the industry is reshaped. In effect, an end-to-end approach to the collection, sorting, pre-processing and recycling of textiles will enable the transition to a cost-effective and efficient scale up of industrial scale textile recycling plants.

The £4 million ACT UK project is led by the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) with close involvement of Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems. It aims to design and carry out trials for the development of a pioneering, fully integrated, automated sorting and pre-processing system for non-rewearable clothing in the UK. This represents a crucial step in enabling post-use collectors and sorters to supply high volume, quality feedstock for fibre-to-fibre recycling, turning end-of-use textiles into valuable and circular resources.

As a leading expert in chemical recycling, Worn Again Technologies will support ACT UK by bringing its recycling know-how and through the use of its 1,000 tonne per year demonstration plant based in Winterthur, Switzerland. The result of this collaboration will act as a blueprint for the creation of fully integrated, automated sorting and pre-processing facility at commercial scale able to supply high volume feedstock to mechanical and chemical recycling plants.

Erik Koep, CEO at Worn Again Technologies, comments: “Zero waste strategies can be successful only when the entire supply and value chains work together to embrace cost-effective, efficient and circular material management. Being part of the ACT UK project is a strategic step in this direction and we are excited to be part of this initiative. This collaboration will help align sustainability efforts across the global textile industry, supporting the scaling up of comprehensive solutions for circularity.”   

Worn Again Technologies will support ACT UK by bringing its recycling know-how and through the use of its 1,000 tonne per year demonstration plant based in Winterthur, Switzerland.

About Worn Again Technologies

Worn Again Technologies was founded in East London in 2005, with a vision to eradicate textile waste. Since 2012, the company has been in development of a unique polymer recycling technology which separates, decontaminates and extracts polyester and cellulose (from cotton) from non-reusable textiles. The dual PET and cellulose outputs can be reintroduced into supply chains to become new fibre, textiles and products as part of a continual cycle.

The regenerative recycling technology is being brought to life by an expert team and strategic partners who have a shared ambition of creating a circular textiles industry. The company has valued strategic investors including Sulzer Chemtech (global market leader in innovative mass transfer, static mixing and polymer solutions for petrochemicals, refining and LNG), Oerlikon (leading materials and surface solutions provider), Mexico-based Himes Corporation (a garment manufacturer) and Directex (a textiles producer), as well as the support of influential brands and partners, such as Kering, ASICS Europe, Sympatex, Dibella and Dhana.

In November 2017, Worn Again Technologies was invited to become part of the Fashion for Good scaling programme. In 2019, Worn Again Technologies received the ANDAM Innovation Prize, the PCIAW Outstanding Contribution to the Textile Industry and the ‘One to Watch’ at the Global Good Awards. In 2019, the company’s Founder, Cyndi Rhoades, was also a finalist for The Circular Economy Awards Leadership award.

Worn Again Technologies is also a signatory and key contributor to the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

About ACT UK

ACT UK brings together a consortium of recycling technologies, textile collectors/sorters, academia, manufacturers, industry associations, technologists and brands/retailers, supported with funding from Innovate UK. It is part of a broader Circular Fashion Programme supported by Innovate UK, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), all part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Led by the UKFT with close involvement of Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems, current project partners include IBM, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Pangaia, Reskinned, Salvation Army, Oxfam, Textile Recycling International, New Look, Shred Station, Worn Again Technologies, English Fine Cottons, Alex Begg, Camira, Manufacturing Technology Centre, University of Leeds, University of Huddersfield, Textile Recycling Association and WRAP.

Weaving a network of circularity

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 The creation of Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem marks a key milestone in the upscaling of Worn Again Technologies’ recycling process technology.

Worn Again Technologies initiates Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem

Worn Again Technologies (WAT) has announced the launch of the Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem. Bringing together key industry players across the entire textile value chain, the initiative will support the creation of a circular economy based on Worn Again Technologies’ innovative polymer recycling technology.

Bringing together key industry players across the entire textile value chain, the initiative will support the creation of a circular economy based on Worn Again Technologies’ innovative polymer recycling technology.

To cause a paradigm shift in the fashion industry and realize true circularity requires all members of the value chain to be on the same page and working towards the same goals. The Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem is a network comprising fabric and textile manufacturers, waste collectors and sorters, as well as retailers, brand owners and technology providers. All these parties will cooperate to make their shared sustainability vision for the sector a reality.

The partners will provide different types of textile waste to Worn Again Technologies’ demonstration plant, which will process 1’000 tonnes of material per year and is being built near the WAT’s technology scale-up partner, Sulzer Chemtech. After advanced chemical processing, virgin-like recycled fibers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and cellulose, will be provided to the same industry players to produce new high-quality fabrics.

More precisely, the consortium will be composed of WAT’s main shareholders, Sulzer, Oerlikon and H&M Group. In addition, Rieter will support short-staple spinning, Monosuisse will take care of PET fiber production, Coop will act as retailer, TEXAID will manage collection, sorting and provide feedstock together with Sallmann (ISA) and Serge Ferrari – all coordinated by Swiss Textiles.

The creation of Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem marks a key milestone in the upscaling of Worn Again Technologies’ recycling process technology. It also supports its ambition to create a circular economy where non-reusable, hard-to-recycle textiles can be reintroduced into supply chains to become new fibers, textiles and other products.

The construction of Worn Again Technologies’ first demonstration plant will start this year in Winterthur, Switzerland. This represents a crucial step towards upscaling and commercializing the company’s recycling process technology.

Erik Koep, CEO at Worn Again Technologies, comments: “Launching the Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem is a vision coming true. This leading group of likeminded organizations will help to shift the fashion industry from traditional, linear product lifecycle models to eco-conscious, circular material management. We believe that zero waste strategies can only become a reality if the entire sector is committed to acting as a whole. We see the Ecosystem as a way to align sustainability efforts across the whole textile value chain and as the next step towards a green fashion industry.”

Torsten Wintergerste, Chairman of Worn Again Technologies and Division President at Sulzer Chemtech, adds: “We look forward to working together with all members of the Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem. Their support is extremely valuable and their trust in our project is much appreciated. The Ecosystem members will support our textile recycling demonstration facility by providing textile waste that can be used as feedstock. The collaboration will also play a key role in scaling up our capabilities and building a network to support the implementation of industrial-scale plants globally.”

The Swiss Textile Recycling Ecosystem is a network comprising fabric and textile manufacturers, waste collectors and sorters, as well as retailers, brand owners and technology providers.

The circular textile economy is rapidly approaching

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Worn Again Technologies has announced plans to build a new textile recycling demo plant in Winterthur Switzerland.

Worn Again Technologies announces plans to build a new textile recycling demo plant in Winterthur Switzerland

Worn Again Technologies is in the final planning stages of an innovative demonstration plant that will showcase its ground-breaking polymer processing technologies for textile recycling. The facility, which will be built and operated by the company, is to be constructed in Winterthur, Switzerland and will have the capacity to prevent 1’000 tonnes of textiles being incinerated every year, paving the way for industrial-scale operations. The pilot plant will showcase Worn Again’s ground-breaking polymer processing technologies for textile recycling.

Worn Again Technologies’ demonstration plant will be constructed near to one of the startup’s technology partners, Sulzer Chemtech, in Winterthur, Switzerland. This represents a crucial step towards upscaling and commercializing the company’s recycling process technology.

In particular, the new industrial-scale infrastructure will help validate the closed-loop chemical recycling solution that has been developed by Worn Again Technologies and its strategic partners. The process obtains polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and cellulose from non-reusable, hard-to-recycle textiles that constitute post-industrial and post-consumer waste. Additionally, the Worn Again Technologies process purifies the products by removing dyes, contaminants and impurities, a step forward from traditional recycling methods. As such, it delivers high-quality, virgin-like materials that can be reintroduced into supply chains to become new fibers, textiles and other products.

Erik Koep, CEO at Worn Again Technologies, comments: “We are excited to be taking the next step in making reliable, high-performance textile recycling a reality. The construction and operation of this demonstration plant are the next major milestones in achieving our vision for textile circularity. We look forward to starting operations soon and see this as the first plant in a global network of processing facilities.”

Torsten Wintergerste, Chairman of Worn Again Technologies, adds: “We are delighted to see our technologies being leveraged to create a state-of-the-art textile recycling plant. Building it in Switzerland gives Worn Again Technologies direct access to Sulzer Chemtech’s global R&D facilities and the Swiss textile industry. We will build an ecosystem of partners around this demo plant and drive forward the creation of a circular economy of textiles. Switzerland is an ideal location for Worn Again to realize the demonstration plant with all stakeholders in the shortest time period possible.”

The plant will have the capacity to prevent 1’000 tonnes of textiles being incinerated every year, paving the way for industrial-scale operations.

Embedding circularity

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An energy-from-waste plant with an outdoor sports center on its roof, Amager Bakke is an inspiration to WAT, as it is integrated into the urban ecosystem. (Credit photo Copenhill Hufton&Crow / ARC)

Worn Again Technologies builds on its ambition to develop textile recycling plants integrated into the urban ecosystem.

Worn Again Technologies (WAT) and its strategic partners gathered in Copenhagen to discuss the next steps towards building modern polymer recycling facilities for textiles. Drawing on inspiration from Amager Bakke, an energy-from-waste plant with an outdoor sports center on its roof, the organization aims to engage communities and change perceptions around manufacturing, both environmentally and culturally. During the two-day event, attendees visited Amager Bakke, also known as Copenhill. After completing extensive feasibility and pilot scale tests, as well as laying out its future vision of the textile recycling industry, Worn Again Technologies is getting closer to building its first full-scale plant. The technology relies on innovative polymer separation and purification technologies to turn non-reusable, hard to recycle polyester and cotton fiber blends into new, high-quality materials for making new textiles. The two-day gathering enabled a compelling exchange of insights and ideas between WAT management and strategic partners. The aim is to shift the paradigm and perception from isolated recycling plants to social architectural landmarks engaged with community, supporting the textile industry commitment of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Worn Again Technologies (WAT) and its strategic partners met in Copenhagen to discuss the next steps towards building polymer recycling facilities for textiles. Torsten Wintergerste, Chairman of Worn Again Technologies Board of Directors, explains: “Creating a successful circular economy for textiles requires more than an innovative recycling technology and all stakeholders from consumers to retailers and law makers need to connect and work together for a cleaner future.” Copenhagen offered an ideal location for the event, as the capital aims to become the world’s first carbon-free city. Even more, attendees were able to draw inspiration from Amager Bakke, also known as Copenhill, a combined heat and power waste-to-energy plant that is also an artificial ski slope and sports attraction. Jacob Simonsen, CEO at Amager Bakke, comments: “We were delighted to host Worn Again Technologies, as we share a common passion and vision in improving the sustainability of industry. We both believe that facilities can coexist with community landmarks and engage the public. It is exciting to see how Worn Again Technologies is planning to create the future of textile recycling. As societies, we face a huge textile challenge. This is why I applaud companies investing in technology aiming at reducing textile waste and turning it into a resource.” Erik Koep, CEO at Worn Again Technologies, concludes: “The meeting was extremely productive. We were able to take significant steps forward with our plans for a full-scale textile recycling plant. In particular, visiting Amager Bakke was key to stimulating the discussion on how Worn Again Technologies’ facilities can integrate into urban ecosystems and contribute in a variety of ways. We aim to develop facilities that will benefit local communities as well as supply the textile industry, all while creating a circular economy.”

About Worn Again Technologies

Worn Again Technologies was founded in East London in 2005, with a vision to eradicate textile waste. Since 2012, the company has been in development of a unique polymer recycling technology which separates, decontaminates and extracts polyester and cellulose (from cotton) from non-reusable textiles. The dual PET and cellulose outputs can be reintroduced into supply chains to become new fibre, textiles and products as part of a continual cycle. The regenerative recycling technology is being brought to life by an expert team and strategic partners who have a shared ambition of creating a circular textiles industry. The company has valued strategic investors including H&M Group, Sulzer Chemtech (global market leader in innovative mass transfer, static mixing and polymer solutions for petrochemicals, refining and LNG), Oerlikon (leading materials and surface solutions provider), Mexico-based Himes Corporation (a garment manufacturer) and Directex (a textiles producer), as well as the support of influential brands and partners, such as Kering, ASICS Europe, Sympatex, Dibella and Dhana. In November 2017, Worn Again Technologies was invited to become part of the Fashion for Good scaling programme. In 2019, Worn Again Technologies received the ANDAM Innovation Prize, the PCIAW Outstanding Contribution to the Textile Industry and the ‘One to Watch’ at the Global Good Awards. In 2019, the company’s Founder, Cyndi Rhoades, was also a finalist for The Circular Economy Awards Leadership award. Worn Again Technologies is also a signatory and key contributor to the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. www.wornagain.co.uk

Tech-driven textile circularity takes over Times Square

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Worn Again Technologies is developing a holistic framework for a circular economy of textiles, where fiber blends are given a second life as high-quality, virgin-like materials.

Worn Again Technologies’ positive impact recognized by the Conscious Fashion Campaign

Worn Again Technologies will be part of the Conscious Fashion Campaign billboard showcase in Times Square during the upcoming New York Fashion Week. Cyndi Rhoades, Founder of Worn Again Technologies, has been named as one of the honorees of the Conscious Fashion Campaign: New York, an initiative of the Fashion Impact Fund in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Office for Partnerships and the PVBLIC Foundation. This achievement further emphasizes the company’s role in textile recycling technology and its support for the sustainable fashion industry using advanced polymer processing technologies. The Conscious Fashion Campaign spotlights fashion-focused female entrepreneurs that are leading the industry towards an inclusive and responsible future with their businesses. The initiative aims to enhance their global visibility to educate, inform and inspire communities. Cyndi Rhoades, Founder of Worn Again Technologies. Cyndi Rhoades, Founder of Worn Again Technologies, was selected as one of top ten most influential social entrepreneurs that will appear on the iconic seven-story-high Nasdaq billboard during New York Fashion Week in February 2022. This is in recognition of Cyndi and the company’s continued commitment to driving social and environmental changes in the industry. More precisely, this recycling technology company is developing a holistic framework for a circular economy of textiles, where fiber blends are given a second life as high-quality, virgin-like materials. Commenting on Cyndi’s nomination, Erik Koep, CEO of Worn Again Technologies, said: “I am thrilled that our company has been acknowledged for its positive impact in the fashion industry and that Cyndi has been chosen as an honoree of the Conscious Fashion Campaign: New York. It has been an incredible journey since the foundation of Worn Again Technologies in 2005. We have continued to grow while turning our vision for textile recycling into a reality. I am grateful to work with a fantastic team of highly specialized partners, such as Sulzer Chemtech, Oerlikon Textile and H&M Group, that have brought us to this moment today. I am excited for Cyndi and for Worn Again’s bright future as we work towards realizing circularity in the fashion and textile industry.” Torsten Wintergerste, Chairman of Worn Again Technologies, added: “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Cyndi for being selected as one of the top ten female entrepreneurs by the Conscious Fashion Campaign. This recognizes her passion and dedication to creating a more sustainable fashion industry and will inspire the next generation of talent to build circular economy. It is always inspiring to be with her.”

About Worn Again Technologies

Worn Again Technologies was founded in East London in 2005, with a vision to eradicate textile waste. Since 2012, the company has been in development of a unique polymer recycling technology which separates, decontaminates and extracts polyester and cellulose (from cotton) from non-reusable textiles. The dual PET and cellulose outputs can be reintroduced into supply chains to become new fibre, textiles and products as part of a continual cycle. The regenerative recycling technology is being brought to life by an expert team and strategic partners who have a shared ambition of creating a circular textiles industry. The company has valued strategic investors including H&M Group, Sulzer Chemtech (global market leader in innovative mass transfer, static mixing and polymer solutions for petrochemicals, refining and LNG), Oerlikon (leading materials and surface solutions provider), Mexico-based Himes Corporation (a garment manufacturer) and Directex (a textiles producer), as well as the support of influential brands and partners, such as Kering, ASICS Europe, Sympatex, Dibella and Dhana. In November 2017, Worn Again Technologies was invited to become part of the Fashion for Good scaling programme. In 2019, Worn Again Technologies received the ANDAM Innovation Prize, the PCIAW Outstanding Contribution to the Textile Industry and the ‘One to Watch’ at the Global Good Awards. In 2019, the company’s Founder, Cyndi Rhoades, was also a finalist for The Circular Economy Awards Leadership award. Worn Again Technologies is also a signatory and key contributor to the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. Company Contact: Worn Again Technologies: Karen Shakespeare-Fletcher Telephone: +44 7549 168616 Web: www.wornagain.co.uk Email: Karen.shakespearefletcher@wornagain.co.uk

Worn Again Press Release – June 2020

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WORN AGAIN TECHNOLOGIES RAISES €8 MILLION INVESTMENT, ACCELERATING ITS PROGRESS TOWARDS COMMERCIALISATION

 (17 June 2020, UK) Worn Again Technologies has secured up to €8 million in new equity capital from investors, including follow-on commitments from two of its existing strategic investors, H&M Group and Sulzer. This significant financial backing is a vote of confidence in the company’s enhanced recycling technology and proposed circular licensing business model, which promises to be crucial in closing the loop in the end-of-use polyester and polycotton/cellulose textile industry. The investment provides over two years of operating capital and will be used to accelerate and complete the company’s fundamental technology development through the R&D phase. It will also provide the base financing required in the next phase of bringing the technology to market.  Through these ongoing strategic partnerships with two global industry players, Worn Again Technologies will benefit from the world-leading expertise of H&M Group’s supply chain and consumer-facing business, as well as the advanced manufacturing and industrial capabilities of Sulzer Chemtech. Erik Karlsson, Investment Manager at H&M Group’s investment arm CO:LAB, said: “Having worked with Founder Cyndi Rhoades and the impressive team since 2013, we’re thrilled to continue our journey by further investing in Worn Again Technologies as they move into an exciting new phase towards commercialisation over the coming years. Their regenerative recycling technology not only aligns perfectly with the H&M group’s vision to become fully circular, but also has the potential to benefit the entire industry.” Torsten Wintergerste, Division President Chemtech of Sulzer, stated: “Sulzer has a clear strategic direction towards sustainable businesses. With our unequalled application know-how and process equipment, Sulzer Chemtech is the leader in separation technologies and the innovation we bring to the table is a game changer for circular economy. Worn Again Technologies building recycling plants with our components represents for Sulzer a proud contribution to a greener future of textile industry. It complements our overall strategic drive to deliver innovative green process solutions like bio-polymers (e.g. PLA) and recycling technologies to the market.” Keith Wiggins, recently appointed CEO of Worn Again Technologies, commented: “It is a pivotal time for H&M, Sulzer and others to be investing in Worn Again Technologies. It shows that global industry leaders are behind our company’s unique technology which can replace the use of virgin resources by recapturing raw materials from non-reusable products. The investment is a considerable step forward in building momentum for Worn Again’s technology for the emerging circular economy.” This announcement comes soon after the opening of the Worn Again Technologies pilot plant in January 2020. In addition to technology development, work is currently underway with end-of-use textile owners on the WA-Feedstock Specification, and engaging other potential stakeholders in preparation for the next phase of development which will focus on a larger demonstration facility, expected in 2021. With essential support from investors and a strong scale-up plan, validation of the company’s innovation is on the horizon, a crucial step towards the industrialisation of this ground-breaking technology. ENDS For further information and interviews please contact Adam Brady at Worn Again Technologies: adam.brady@wornagain.co.uk +44 (0) 7726 791 456 Images and assets can be found in this folder here.

About Worn Again Technologies:

Worn Again Technologies is a technology licensing company that is developing unique polymer recycling processes that will enable raw materials in textiles and polyester packaging to be kept in constant circulation, driving economic, social and environmental benefits. The technology has been developed to support the shift from linear supply chains to a circular system where raw materials are recycled, reducing the use of the worlds finite resources. The company has valued strategic investors including H&M Group, Sulzer, Himes Corporation and Directex, as well as the support of influential brands and partners, such as Kering, ASICS Europe, Sympatex, Dibella and Dhana. In recent years, Worn Again Technologies has been part of the movement to develop the circular economy. The company has benefited from engagement with many parts of the industry, including grant funding, and direct collaboration with the Fashion for Good scaling program, Cradle to Cradle (C2C) initial certified outputs, and EU-Interreg funded Fibersort textile sorting project. Worn Again Technologies is proud to have received the ANDAM Innovation Prize, and to recognized by PCIAW as an Outstanding Contribution to the Textile Industry. www.wornagain.co.uk   @wornagainuk

Worn Again Press Release – Jan 2020

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WORN AGAIN TECHNOLOGIES MAKES STEP TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AND CIRCULAR RESOURCE WORLD WITH THE LAUNCH OF PILOT R&D FACILITY

(22nd January 2020, UK) Worn Again Technologies, the pioneering polymer recycling technology firm, today announces the launch of its pilot R&D facility as a major step forward in its development process. The facility is located at CPI, a technology and innovation centre in Redcar, England. Worn Again Technologies is a leader in the use of science to recapture raw materials from non-reusable products with a vision to eliminate waste and replace the use of virgin resources. The pilot plant is designed to validate and develop Worn Again Technologies’ proprietary process which separates, decontaminates and extracts PET polymer and cellulose (from cotton) from non-reusable textiles and PET bottles and packaging to go back into supply chains as raw materials to become new products as part of a continual cycle. Nick Ryan, Worn Again Technologies’ Technology Director comments: “The pilot is a significant step in developments as it will allow us to confirm and further optimise the different steps in the process in one unit, accelerating our engineering development to the next step of a demonstrator plant.” Cyndi Rhoades, Founder of Worn Again Technologies says: “It is exciting to have progressed our developments from lab to plant. While there is still a long road ahead, it’s the next tangible step getting us closer to a scalable, commercially viable industrial process that will enable the move away from using finite virgin resources to the circularity of raw materials.” Kris Wadrop, Director of Biotechnology CPI “CPI is delighted to host the Worn Again Technologies pilot plant within our scale-up facilities at Wilton, Redcar. Supporting a company at the forefront of the Circular Economy promoting sustainable fashion by using the strengths of the chemical industry on Teesside is an ideal combination and part of the reason CPI exists’’ The team, coordinated by Worn Again Technologies’ Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Adam Walker, began working with CPI on the commissioning of the pilot in Q4 2019. The apparatus will be run with a rigorous, disciplined scientific process to meet the needs of the market and customers’ high expectations. Experimentation will include testing of the process using various inputs to understand the yield and quality impact on the product. – Ends – For further information and interviews please contact The Communications Store: Ellie Eversett, ellie.eversett@tcs-uk.net (020 3642 2940)  

About Worn Again Technologies

Worn Again Technologies was founded in East London in 2005, with a vision for a waste free world where all textiles resources are kept in constant circulation, driving positive economic, social and environmental benefits. Today its pioneering polymer recycling technology, which began developments in 2012, is being brought to life by a world-class team and strategic partners who have a shared ambition to fast track this vision. Worn Again Technologies has valued investors including H&M Group, Sulzer Chemtech one of the world’s largest chemical engineering companies, Mexico based Himes Corporation a garment manufacturer and Directex, a textiles producer as well as the support of influential brands and partners, such as Kering, ASICS Europe, Sympatex, Dibella and Dhana. In November 2017, Worn Again Technologies was invited to become part of the Fashion for Good scaling programme and in 2018, the company was awarded a grant to become the first chemical recycling technology to be Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified as well as being named one of the LAUNCH Circular Innovators for 2018. In 2019 Worn Again Technologies was awarded the ANDAM Innovation Prize and ‘One to Watch’ at Global Good Awards. Also in 2019, Founder Cyndi Rhoades was awarded the PCIAW Outstanding Contribution to the Textile Industry and was a finalist for The Circular Economy Awards, Leadership award. www.wornagain.co.uk @wornagainuk

Worn Again Press Release – May 2019

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WORN AGAIN TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES ITS PIONEER MEMBERS, THE GROUP LEADING THE CHARGE FOR CIRCULAR RESOURCES

Leading companies become first in line for circular raw materials supply as technology prepares for industrialisation Worn Again Technologies, creators of award-winning polymer recycling technology, has announced its Pioneer Members’ programme consisting of some of the most forward-thinking brands in the global apparel and textiles industry. The establishment of this programme takes Worn Again Technologies one step further on its mission to propel the shift to a circular resource world, wasting no time – or textiles – in getting there. Worn Again Technologies’ polymer recycling process can separate, decontaminate and extract polyester polymers and cellulose (from cotton) from non-reusable textiles, as well as plastic bottles and packaging, to go back into new fibre as part of a repeatable process. Next to join founding Pioneer Members, H&M and Kering, are Japanese sportswear brand ASICS Europe, German outdoor textiles specialist Sympatex, German linen supplier Dibella, US youth sustainable fashion brand Dhana and Mexican textile and garment manufactures Directex and Himes. Worn Again Technologies’ patented process aims to ensure its dual PET and cellulose outputs extracted from textiles and bottles will have economic competitiveness to virgin resources whilst guaranteeing virgin-equivalent quality. As Pioneer Members, these companies will have guaranteed access to a percentage share of initial Worn Again Technologies’ circular PET and cellulose outputs to use in their supply chains, which will prove a competitive advantage in the coming decade as demand for circular supply resources rises. Additionally, this group will be offered pre-market access to developments and engagement in industry trials on the outputs during the scaling phase. The creation of the Pioneer Members’ programme marks a defining moment for brands and Worn Again Technologies. Now, future outputs of this innovative process have official entry to brands, retailers, products and consumers, bringing us closer to the circularity of raw materials for textiles. As Worn Again Technologies continues its rapid developments, it calls for forward-thinking brands to join now and be amongst the next to reap the rewards of this industry-advancing innovation. “From the early days of development, we knew that working with strategic partners would be the most effective way to bring our vision to reality. We have been building the technology and the infrastructure for this solution over the last eight years, but the brands and companies selling products will play a huge role in enabling us to deliver circular resources to the global textiles industry” says Cyndi Rhoades, CEO and Founder of Worn Again Technologies. Worn Again Technologies is proud to welcome each Pioneer Member into the programme, recognising their individual commitments to creating a more sustainable and truly circular industry. H&M Group pledges that by 2030, the group “aims for 100% recycled, or other sustainably sourced materials” and Kering holds a commitment to “ensure 100% traceability of key raw materials by 2025”. ASICS Europe also has ambitious future targets committing to replace all conventional polyester used in apparel and footwear upper materials with recycled alternatives by 2030. Dhana, which has signed 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment by Global Fashion Agenda, Dibella (supported by Lucky Textiles) and Sympatex (which met Worn Again Technologies via the Fashion for Good programme and LAUNCH Circular Innovators network, respectively) each also have circularity as a core business driver with ambitions to make an impact to their industry sectors. Through becoming a Worn Again Technologies Pioneer Member and having access to this ground- breaking technology, these companies are now one step closer to achieving their circularity goals. The establishment of the Pioneer Members’ programme reaffirms each company as part of the solution to eradicate waste and Worn Again Technologies welcomes discussions with like-minded businesses who share its pioneering vision.

Quotes from the Pioneers

Erik Karlsson, Investment Manager for Sustainable Fashion at H&M said of the new programme, “We are proud of the collaboration we have with Worn Again Technologies. H&M Group looks forward to being an early adopter of the outputs and integrate them into our supply chain. This will be an important step towards our goal of using only recycled and sustainably sourced materials by 2030.” Romy Miltenburg, Manager CSR & Sustainability EMEA at ASICS, said: “ASICS is dedicated to sport and its healthy contribution to society. Our goal is to create products that not only help people to live happier and healthier lives, but also leave our planet safe and sound. Through this partnership with Worn Again Technologies, we are one step closer to our goal of creating a circular business model.” “Each year, mountains of clothing end-up on garbage landfills or they are incinerated, even using open fires in many countries. For us, putting an end to this unacceptable environmental burden caused by our industry is more than just a moral commitment. We see in it also an abundance of raw material sources that can be utilized in the future, thanks also to our technology partners who we have targeted and sought out. With wear2wear, FRIVEP and Worn Again Technologies, we have now acquired enough experience to start scaling up our lighthouse projects,” said Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO of Sympatex Technologies. Ralf Hellmann, CEO of Dibella explains: “If we take current planetary boundaries and climate targets into consideration, it becomes clear that a circular use of resources must be targeted as basis for corporate policy. In cooperation with strategically relevant partners, we can perfectly solve this future task. We therefore decided to join the Worn Technologies’ Pioneer Members’ programme that will allow us to develop circular textiles using resources that can go back into new products as part of a repeatable process at the same product quality”. Shamini Dhana, Founder and CEO of Dhana Inc. says, “Our commitment to the principles of circular fashion encompasses the adoption of new streams of waste-to-fibre technology which is exactly what Worn Again Technologies provides – a solution to today’s most sought after challenge – the need to divert and convert millions of pounds of textile waste from the landfill into valuable commodities and economic opportunity.” – Ends –  

Press Enquiries

The Communications Store Katerina Jarvis | Senior Account Director | Katerina.Jarvis@TCS-UK.net Ellie Eversett | Senior Account Executive | Eleanor.Eversett@TCS-UK.net T: +44 20 7938 1010 www.wornagain.co.uk @wornagainuk  

About Worn Again Technologies

Worn Again Technologies was founded in East London in 2005, with a vision to enable the circularity of raw materials. Today its pioneering polymer recycling technology is being brought to life by world-class scientists and strategic partners who have a shared ambition to fast track this vision. Worn Again Technologies has the support of influential brands and partners, such as H&M and Kering, as well as angel investor Craig Cohon, previously a senior executive of The Coca Cola Company and owner of Cirque du Soleil Russia, whose confidence in the potential of this technology has been invaluable. Worn Again Technologies is also a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Circular Economy 100 and a project partner for Circle Economy’s Fibersort project which is a technology used to automatically sort large volumes of textiles by fibre type. In November 2017, Worn Again Technologies was invited to become part of the Fashion for Good scaling programme which offers access to a network of business advisors and industry experts, enabling it to accelerate the development and future adoption of its revolutionary polymer recycling technology. In 2018, the company was awarded a grant to become the first chemical recycling technology to be Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified. The Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard assesses a product through five quality categories – material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness. The grant goes towards the official assessment process of these categories by an independent assessor and will certify the product being produced in licensed plants.

Worn Again Press Release – July 2018

Written by admin2018 on . Posted in , Press Release.

WORN AGAIN TECHNOLOGIES BREAKS BOUNDARIES, RAISING £5 MILLION INVESTMENT, ACCELERATING IT TO MARKET

  Worn Again Technologies – hits £5 million investment target to accelerate its trail-blazing polymer recycling technology, cracking the code on the circularity of raw materials for the global textiles and apparel industry. Worn Again Technologies is leading the charge to solve part of the world’s plastic crisis and the growing problem of textiles waste to landfill. After more than six years of intensive R&D, Worn Again Technologies is coming out of the lab and bringing its patented technology to market. CEO, Cyndi Rhoades said, “There are enough textiles and plastic bottles ‘above ground’ and in circulation today to meet our annual demand for raw materials to make new clothing and textiles. With our dual polymer recycling technology, there will be no need to use virgin oil by-products to make new polyester and the industry will be able to radically decrease the amount of virgin cotton going into clothing by displacing it with new cellulose fibres recaptured from existing clothing.” Worn Again Technologies’ patented process can separate, decontaminate and extract polyester polymers and cellulose (from cotton) from non-reusable textiles, as well as plastic bottles and packaging, to go back into new products as part of a repeatable process. The innovation cracks the code not only by being able to separate both polyester and cotton but also by being able to produce two end products that are both comparable in quality and have the aim of being competitive in price to virgin resources. The process saves energy and will accelerate us towards a waste-free, circular resource world. Currently, less than 1% of non-wearable textiles are turned back into new textiles due to technical and economic limitations of current recycling methods. Worn Again Technologies can reprocess pure and blended cotton and polyester textiles (together representing 80% of all clothing and textiles) meaning its solution offers the potential to increase the recycling of raw materials in textiles exponentially from the current 1%, with no price premium to manufacturers, brands or the consumer. Cambridge PhD and Worn Again Technologies Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Adam Walker sums it up, “The solution to the world’s plastics problem is not to stop using plastic altogether. We have a solution to address the burgeoning need for recycling non-rewearable textiles and plastics and we’ve been clamouring to get on with it for many years. This investment, combined with the increasing geopolitical awareness of the need for this technology, is enabling us to push through the scale-up and validation work to reach the market on an accelerated timescale.” The industry is starting to wake up to Dr. Walker and the Worn Again scientists. Last month, the company was awarded a grant to become the first chemical recycling technology to be Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified. “For the last few years, fighting against industry inertia and resistance to investing in our solution was incredibly difficult. Everyone in the industry was waiting for someone else to take the lead” said angel investor and Chairman Craig Cohon. “It’s been a challenge but we have now brought together an esteemed group of pioneers who share a likeminded vision for the future.” The catalyst for the investment was fashion retailer H&M, now joined by new partners including Sulzer Chemtech, one of the world’s largest chemical engineering companies; Mexico based Himes Corporation, a garment manufacturer; Directex, a textiles producer and Miroslava Duma’s Future Tech Lab. The combined investment and support enables the optimisation phase of the technology in the lab as well as industrial trials, scaling and designing of the industrial process with Sulzer Chemtech. These crucial steps will finalise developments to the point at which the technology is complete and ready for commercialisation. Worn Again Technologies has also partnered with Qvartz, a management consultancy firm with Nordic roots and global reach, to support its direction setting, partnership development and commercialisation model. Worn Again Technologies is currently enlisting local, national and global investors and strategic partners who want to be part of the rapid expansion plan as it prepares for the first industrial demonstration plant to be launched in 2021. – Ends –  

Press Enquiries

The Communications Store Katerina Jarvis | Senior Account Director | Katerina.Jarvis@TCS-UK.net Ellie Eversett | Senior Account Executive | Eleanor.Eversett@TCS-UK.net T: +44 20 7938 1010 www.wornagain.co.uk @wornagainuk  

About Worn Again Technologies

Worn Again Technologies was founded in East London in 2005, with a vision to enable the circularity of raw materials. Today its pioneering polymer recycling technology is being brought to life by world-class scientists and strategic partners who have a shared ambition to fast track this vision. Worn Again Technologies has the support of influential brands and partners, such as H&M and Kering, as well as angel investor Craig Cohon, previously a senior executive of The Coca Cola Company and owner of Cirque du Soleil Russia, whose confidence in the potential of this technology has been invaluable. Worn Again Technologies is also a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Circular Economy 100 and a project partner for Circle Economy’s Fibersort project which is a technology used to automatically sort large volumes of textiles by fibre type. In November 2017, Worn Again Technologies was invited to become part of the Fashion for Good scaling programme which offers access to a network of business advisors and industry experts, enabling it to accelerate the development and future adoption of its revolutionary polymer recycling technology. In 2018, the company was awarded a grant to become the first chemical recycling technology to be Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified. The Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard assesses a product through five quality categories – material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness. The grant goes towards the official assessment process of these categories by an independent assessor and will certify the product being produced in licensed plants.