Recover, the global producer of low-impact, high-quality mechanically recycled cotton fiber, has one of the largest apparel retailers on its side.
On Wednesday, the Spanish material science company announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with H&M to support the integration of its recycled cotton fiber, RCotton, for use in H&M’s products. The agreement builds on their product development collaboration initiated in early 2024.
RCotton is a 100 percent pure and unblended recycled cotton fiber. It can be used in a wide variety of apparel, accessories and home textiles products including denim, knits, flat knits and wovens. Depending on the product, brands can use up to 50 percent RCotton in their blends.
Related Stories
With recycling facilities in Spain, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and El Salvador, GRS-certified Recover says it offers a scaled solution for global brands like H&M. Additionally, pre- and post-consumer feedstock is sourced directly from brands, textile sorters and recyclers respectively, meaning recycled fiber lots can be traced back to their origins.
These capabilities are essential for a global fashion player like H&M Group, where transparency, fiber performance, and reliable supply are crucial to integrating recycled materials, the recycling firm stated.
“Reliable access to recycled fibers at scale, with full traceability and quality consistency, is vital for the industry’s transformation. Our collaboration demonstrates how innovators and leading global brands can work together to make circular fashion available to all,” said Anders Sjöblom, CEO of Recover
Scaling its use of recycled cotton is a priority for the Swedish retailer. By 2030, H&M aims to use only recycled or sustainably sourced materials in its products and for 50 percent of these to be recycled.
The fast fashion giant also understands its impact in helping drive down the cost of sustainable fibers. Earlier this month, textile-to-textile recycler Circ announced that H&M Group will use its recycled fibers to make fleece tops and denim.
“At H&M Group, we want to grow our business decoupled from resource use and extraction, with products and materials circulating at their highest value. To increase the availability and affordability of recycled and sustainably sourced materials, we invest in, test, and scale innovative solutions and infrastructure,” said Ulf Krigsman, H&M’s head of material and components. “Recover’s expertise and proven ability to deliver recycled cotton at commercial scale make them a valuable partner as we work toward our goal of using only recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030.”
