Decathlon And Resortecs Pioneer Fully Recyclable Swimwear Collection
Resortecs has partnered with Decathlon, the global leader in sports equipment and apparel, to develop a fully recyclable swimwear collection without compromising performance, functionality or aesthetics. This collaboration blends state-of-the-art technology with high-performance design.
Acerina Trejo Machin, the Chief Technology Officer at Resortecs, explained, “We all know that a high percentage of elastane prohibits the recycling of fabrics, but eliminating elastane lowers the functionality and performance of a garment. To balance performance and recyclability, Decathlon developed Negombo, a fabric ensuring elasticity without the use of elastane.”
However, creating a swimwear garment with recyclable fabric alone is not enough to meet the required performance and comfort. Elastic bands are needed, but these are not processable by recyclers and block the recycling of the swimwear. This is where Resortecs comes into play. Resortecs’ Smart Stitch, combined with Smart Disassembly, enables the efficient separation of the elastic bands from the main fabric at the end of the garment’s lifecycle.
Acerina elaborates, “Resortecs’ active disassembly process ensures the maximum recyclability rate of the swimwear garment. Our technology allows for fully automatic disassembly, without any manual intervention, at a scale of up to 10 tonnes a day. This results in an impressive 63% increase in material recovery and is 10 times faster than conventional methods.”
The synergy between Resortecs and Decathlon allows for the creation of swimwear that is not only high-performing but also fully recyclable, without making any compromises in design, durability or comfort. Closing the loop has never been easier. By incorporating Resortecs’ disassembly solution, product designers can ensure circularity while focusing on their ultimate goal: creating garments that best fit their customer needs.
