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Machinery and Technology

HKRITA Joins Hands With Mainland Partners To Advance Circular Technology

• By  Textile Excellence
• May 15, 2026

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has been expanding its collaboration network in the Chinese Mainland, accelerating the commercialisation of research outcomes. These efforts have led to significant progress.

Green Machine selected as a Shanghai Outstanding ESG Case

Green Machine, HKRITA’s flagship innovation, was selected as one of the 20 “Shanghai Outstanding ESG Cases”. This honour underscores the industry’s confidence in the Green Machine’s role in advancing circular innovation. 

The Green Machine uses hydrothermal treatment to separate and recycle blended polyester-cotton waste, solving a long-standing technical bottleneck in the industry. By enabling closed-loop recycling, it extends material lifecycles while reducing carbon emissions and pollution. It also fosters collaboration among raw material suppliers, manufacturers and brands, delivering broad environmental, social and governance benefits.

The Corporate Sustainability Development Conference brought together representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Government (such as Shen Weihua, Director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce), international organisations (such as Stephen Jackson, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China), and leading enterprises (such as Park Jee Seon, Chief Sustainability Officer of CN & NA, L'Oréal Group) to engage in high-level dialogue on global ESG strategies and practices. The release of the ESG Case List, which included HKRITA alongside global companies such as BASF and DuPont, underscored the authority and influence of the platform in advancing environmental protection, social responsibility and corporate governance.

Partnership with Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University 

On April 23, HKRITA welcomed in Open Lab two representatives from Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University, Associate Dean Zhang Zhengyuan of the School of Light Industry and Material and Professor Qin Jun of the Engineering Centre. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Technology Transfer Services, covering talent development, product development and start-up incubation. This marks the first time that Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University has signed an international research cooperation memorandum with a research institute in Hong Kong, China. The partnership aims to strengthen connections across the textile value chain, promote information exchange, technology sharing and capacity complementarity. It also aligns with the directions of the National 15th Five-Year Plan to reinforce industry-academic-research integration and technology transfer.

Chengdu Qinggong Polytechnic University is a key training base for high-skilled talent in the textile and apparel sector. With strong research platforms and a focus on smart and green development, the institution plays an important role in nurturing professionals and driving innovation.

The success of the Green Machine highlights HKRITA’s growing leadership in circular textile technology and green innovation. The initiative has strengthened collaboration across industries and academia, helping accelerate technology transfer, supply chain decarbonisation and sustainable industrial development. Jake Koh, CEO, HKRITA