Teijin launches closed-loop, polyester-recycling program

Teijin Fibers Ltd (Osaka, Japan; www.teijin.co.jp) announced today the first-ever program in the marine clothing industry for collecting and recycling used garments, launched in collaboration with Henri Lloyd (Manchester, U.K.; www.henrilloyd.com), a major global brand of marine apparel based in the U.K. Recycling will be carried out with ECO Circle, an environmentally friendly closed-loop system incorporating the world’s first technology for the chemical recycling of polyester, which Teijin Fibers introduced in 2002. Teijin Fibers’ ECO Storm, a recyclable, waterproof and breathable material made from recycled fibers laminated with a highly durable thin polyester film, will be incorporated in sailing wear featured in Henri Lloyd’s 2010 Blue Eco Range. The inaugural lineup will include the Blue Eco Jacket and Hi Fit trousers, both of which are windproof, waterproof and highly breathable. The Blue Eco products will be available in Henri Lloyd’s own stores and its wholesale account network in the U.K. as well as the U.S., Australia, across Europe and Japan.   Under the program, Henri Lloyds Blue Eco partners will accept these garments from their customers after they are worn out, from where they will be sent…