Isko, a denim manufacturer owned by Gaziantep, Turkey-based Sanko Holding, has acquired a licencing agreement for the award-winning Green Machine – a one-of-a-kind technology developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel that fully separates and recycles cotton and polyester blends at scale (HKRITA).
Isko is testing a novel technique that decomposes cotton into cellulose granules and allows polyester fibres to be separated from mixed textiles. Only water, heat, and less than 5% biodegradable green chemicals are used in the closed-loop process. Isko wants to provide a 100 percent post-consumer recycling solution to all of its clients in the future.
The Green Machine from HKRITA is a revolutionary recycling technology that does not harm the polyester fibres and so preserves their quality. The clean and toxic-free cellulose granules can be utilised in a number of ways. Isko has invested in the initiative as part of its R-Two programme, which seeks to produce textiles with a minimum recycled content blend of 50%.