As the producer of Naia cellulosic fibres, Eastman has formed a strategic collaboration with Vancouver-based Debrand, a next- life logistics company specialising in finding sustainable solutions for the waste of some of the world’s top apparel and footwear brands.

Teaming up with Debrand for collection of the waste, Eastman is using its molecular recycling technology to recycle 5,000 pounds of pre and post-consumer apparel waste in a pilot scheme. The process breaks down apparel waste to its molecular building blocks and uses the certified recycled material to create Naia Renew circular fibres made from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% recycled waste material via Global Recycled Standard-certified mass balance.

“We are committed to advancing sustainable solutions for the fashion industry,” said Claudia de Witte, Eastman’s textiles sustainability leader. “Partnering with Debrand allows us to drive progress on our Naia sustainability goals, particularly to mainstream circularity by creating sustainable solutions for textiles that have reached end of life and turning them into valuable resources for new Naia Renew fibers. This collaboration underscores our commitment to working closely with key collectors and sorters to drive the necessary infrastructure changes for advancing sustainability in the fashion industry.”

Prior to its collaboration with Eastman, Debrand secured a strategic investment from Waste Management, the leading provider of comprehensive waste management in North America, to deliver circular solutions across the USA and Canada.

“We are excited to collaborate with Eastman on this pilot project and create building blocks towards valuable systems of sustainability,” said Lina G. Londono, vice president of sustainability at Debrand. “We took on this project with an intentional and iterative approach that would reach meaningful milestones. It was designed to offer scalability and accessibility for other brands that may want to participate in the future.”

Eastman continues to partner with strategic brands and organisations to enhance the infrastructure for a circular economy in the textiles industry. Recently, it teamed up with Patagonia to recycle 8,000 pounds of the brand’s unusable apparel.

www.eastman.com

www.debrand.ca