Global Textile Recycling Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2024-2032)

Global Textile Recycling Market Growth

Textile recycling involves reprocessing old textiles and waste materials into reusable products. It also benefits the environment by mitigating pollution, saving natural resources, reducing energy and water consumption, and its chemical dye impact. It further helps reduce the use of virgin fibres and further supports increased demand for textile recycling.

The global textile recycling market provides significant benefits, as it produces minimal emissions, reduces landfill textiles, and conserves natural resources. It reduces the amount of energy, water, and chemicals needed to create new fabrics, which in turn decreases pollution and greenhouse gases. The growth of the textile recycling market is driven due to its contribution towards the circular economy, as the reuse of textiles ensures a longer life cycle, reduces resource dependency, and promotes sustainable consumption behaviour in the fashion and textile industries.

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Global Textile Recycling Market Analysis

The textile recycling industry growth is driven by increasing awareness of sustainability among individuals. Over time, environmental preservation and consumer campaigns have increased, leading to incorporating recycled textiles in their routine to reduce waste, with strong support for eco-friendly fashion. Similarly, a key driver is government regulation; several countries are reworking waste handling and promoting circular economy models that compel textile recycling. The efficiency of recovering fibres from discarded textiles has been enhanced due to technological advancements, with innovations in chemical and mechanical recycling processes currently being developed.

Moreover, the textile recycling market dynamics and trends are influenced by rising knowledge concerning the influence of fast fashion on the environment. Among customers, this drives demand for recycled materials and inclines them towards sustainable brand support. Brands are incorporating recycling programs and closed-loop systems into their corporate responsibility initiatives to manage textile waste more responsibly, without adding up on emissions.

Textile Recycling Industry Outlook

According to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2023, the total Upland cotton production across the United States was estimated at 12,736,000 480-pound bales. Texas led the production with 3,600,000 bales, followed by Georgia with 2,350,000 bales.

As per the National Development and Reform Commission, in 2020, China generated approximately 22 million tons of textile waste and achieved a recycling rate of about 20%. This resulted in the production of around 1.5 million tons of recycled fibre from the textile waste, thus fuelling the textile recycling industry revenue.

The textile industry is crucial for both the EU and the global economy. In 2022, the EU textile and clothing sector generated a turnover of USD 175.98 billion, marking a 14% increase from 2021, thus boosting the textile recycling market revenue. Additionally, EU households spent approximately USD 297.17 billion on clothing, averaging USD 663.89 per person, and USD 71.66 billion on footwear, reflecting a total increase of 15% in current prices compared to the previous year, as per the European Environment Agency.

Between 2017 and 2021 in Australia, there were notable increases in the generation of textiles, leather, and rubber (excluding tyres) waste. The Northern Territory saw an 87% increase from 7 kt to 13 kt. Queensland's waste generation rose by 8%, from 154 kt to 166 kt. Tasmania experienced a 1% increase, moving from 22 kt to 23 kt. Victoria had a significant 36% rise, from 183 kt to 249 kt. Western Australia saw a 17% increase, from 87 kt to 102 kt as reported by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

2023 U.S. textile imports, measured in raw-fibre equivalent pounds, amounted to significant volumes across various fibre types. Cotton imports were recorded at 7,243,298,937 pounds, while linen imports reached 88,993,8968 pounds. Wool imports were 40,750,8286 pounds, and silk imports were 26,182,3942 pounds. The imports of synthetic fibres were notably high, totalling 8,419,930,052 pounds. The total textile imports for the year amounted to 17,222,500,185 pounds as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Growing global demand for sustainable practices and eco-friendly products is boosting textile recycling market demand.

• Advancements in recycling technologies allow for more efficient recovery of fibres from discarded textiles.
• Strong support from governments and environmental organizations promoting recycling and waste reduction initiatives.

High costs are associated with the development of advanced recycling infrastructure and technologies.

• Limited consumer awareness and participation in textile recycling programs in some regions.
• Complex sorting processes and contamination issues reduce the quality of recycled textiles, affecting profitability.

Increasing demand for sustainable fashion and eco-friendly materials presents recycled textile industry opportunities.

• Expansion of circular economy models in emerging markets can drive the adoption of textile recycling.
• Corporate sustainability initiatives from major fashion brands are likely to boost partnerships and investments in textile recycling solutions.

Intense competition from fast fashion brands producing low-cost, non-recycled textiles.

• Fluctuating raw material prices for recycled fibres can impact market stability.
• Economic downturns may reduce consumer spending on sustainable products, affecting demand for recycled textiles.

Key Players in the Global Textile Recycling Market and Their Key Initiatives

MASC Inc. (SuperCircle)

• Launched advanced textile recycling technologies to efficiently process and repurpose synthetic and natural fibres.
• Introduced consumer recycling programs, encouraging sustainable disposal of textiles and apparel to meet the growing demand of the textile recycling market.

Boer Group Recycling Solutions

• Expanded partnerships with fashion brands to increase post-consumer textile waste collection.
• Launched a circular textile program, promoting the reuse of fibres in new clothing production.

Lenzing AG

• Expands its REFIBRA™ technology to LENZING™ ECOVERO™, setting new responsible viscose standards for textile circularity. 
• Combined OnceMore® pulp with TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ technology to create sustainable fibers. to capture the recycling textile market opportunities.

Patagonia, Inc.

• Partnered with Eastman to recycle 8,000 pounds of pre-and post-consumer clothing waste.
• Developed an end-of-life wetsuit solution with Colorado’s Bolder Industries to turn unwanted wetsuits into components for new wetsuits.

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Global Textile Recycling Industry Segmentation

“Global Textile Recycling Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Material

• Cotton 
• Wool 
• Polyester and Polyester Fibre 
• Nylon and Nylon Fibre
• Others

Market Breakup by Textile Waste

• Pre-Consumer Waste
• Post-Consumer Waste

Market Breakup by Process

• Mechanical
• Chemical 

Market Breakup by End-Use

• Apparel
• Industrial and Institutional
• Home Furnishings
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

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Textile Recycling Market Share

As per textile recycling market analysis, the cotton material segment holds a significant share of the textile recycling market and is anticipated to witness fast growth in the forecast period. Cotton is one of the main textile waste materials generated because of its high demand and widespread usage for apparel and other products. Meanwhile, it also indicates that the polyester and polyester fibre material segment is expected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the polyester and polyester fibre sector is being fuelled by the surging usage of polyester and polyester fibre in the apparel industry, where companies have pledged to use more recycled polyester in place of ordinary polyester in clothes.

This is also attributed to the increase in textile recycling industry growth, mainly because of its mechanical process that breaks down textile fibres into filaments through shredding, and these filaments are then spun back into new yarns. Mechanical recycling is cost-effective and mostly used for natural fibres like cotton or wool. While still not as far along, but gaining ground quickly, is chemical recycling, which breaks down polyester and other synthetic fibres into their raw chemicals, allowing for more efficient recycling.

In the textile recycling market, the apparel sector stands out as the most prominent end user. The fast-paced fashion industry, characterised by frequent production cycles and high consumer demand, generates significant textile waste. With sustainability becoming a core concern for both brands and consumers, there is a growing emphasis on recycling clothing and adopting circular fashion practices. Brands are increasingly using recycled fibres to create eco-friendly collections, while consumers are more inclined to support second-hand and upcycled garments.

The industrial and institutional sectors, which include uniforms and linens from hospitals, hotels, and other large-scale operations, also contribute to textile recycling but on a smaller scale. Similarly, the home furnishings segment, involving products like curtains, upholstery, and bedding, plays a role, though the frequency of replacement is lower compared to apparel. Overall, the apparel sector leads the charge in driving demand of the recycled textiles market.

Leading Companies in the Textile Recycling Market

The companies specialise in providing services for the collection, sorting, preparation, and recycling of textiles, used garments, and shoes, and is a top supplier in several business-to-business areas, from cellulose fibres to unique plastic polymer goods.

• MASC Inc. (SuperCircle)
• Boer Group Recycling Solutions
• Lenzing AG
• Patagonia, Inc.
• Procotex Corporation
• Unifi, Inc.
• H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
• Martex Fiber
• Textile Recycling International
• Ecotex Textilverwertung & Handel GmbH
• Grasim Industries Limited (Birla Cellulose)
• Others

Textile Recycling Market Report Snapshots

Textile Recycling Market Size

Textile Recycling Market Share

Textile Recycling Market Analysis

Textile Recycling Companies