The global conversation on sustainable practices and circular economies gained significant momentum at two key industry events in 2024: COP29 and the Sustainability Talks Istanbul. These platforms provided critical arenas for discussing the future of textile recycling and its role in transforming the fashion industry.
At COP29, held from November 11 to 22, world leaders, innovators, and industry experts gathered to address climate challenges. An important moment was the panel titled “Unlocking Circular Potential: Next-generation Recycling Technologies,” where influential voices in sustainability explored the pressing need for a collaborative approach to tackle textile waste. Among them was RE&UP’s Chairman, Fatih Konukoğlu, who stressed that the textile industry’s waste crisis requires a unified response spanning technology, legislation, and consumer behavior. With global climate concerns front and center, this dialogue highlighted the role of innovative recycling technologies in achieving true circularity.
Following COP29, the focus on sustainable practices continued at the Sustainability Talks Istanbul, held on December 3, 2024, where RE&UP was Circularity sponsor. This event brought together leading figures in the field to discuss the transition towards circular economies within the textile industry. Discussions – in which key RE&UP executives took part, including Andreas Dorner, General Manager; Özgür Atsan, Chief Commercial Officer; and Ebru Özküçük Güler, Chief Sustainability Officer – centered on the challenges and opportunities of textile-to-textile recycling, with a particular emphasis on how businesses can drive change through innovation and commitment to sustainability.
Experts highlighted the transformative potential of next-generation recycled fibers and cutting-edge recycling technologies, which are beginning to reshape the way materials are used and reused in the fashion industry. The event underscored that advancing circularity in textiles is not only an environmental imperative but also a commercial opportunity that requires strategic collaboration and forward-thinking solutions.
Both COP29 and Sustainability Talks Istanbul reinforced the growing consensus on the need for urgent action to reduce textile waste and foster a circular economy. As the textile industry navigates its environmental challenges, these events serve as important milestones in the ongoing quest for sustainable solutions, offering a clear message: collaboration and innovation are the keys to transforming the future of fashion.