VP Textile invests in GR3N’s innovative polyester recycling technology
VP Textile, the organisation behind the brands HAVEP, Hydrowear and Van Heurck, has signed an agreement with GR3N to invest in the development of innovative polyester recycling technology. This European initiative marks an important next step towards a circular future for the textile industry and underlines the company’s commitment to a more sustainable textile value chain, without compromising on quality or safety. The investment has been made in partnership with VP Textile’s parent company, VP Capital.
A new way of recycling textiles
GR3N uses chemical recycling, a process in which polyester from used textile streams is broken down into its original building blocks. These building blocks are then purified and reused to produce new polyester.
What makes this method unique is that the quality of the material is preserved, matching that of newly produced polyester. This allows it to be reused for high-quality applications, such as workwear. Any contaminants present in the original material can be removed during the process, ensuring that the material remains safe and reliable.
With other forms of recycling, such as mechanical and thermal techniques, material quality gradually declines and certain contaminants remain. By removing these contaminants, chemical recycling enables polyester to be reused repeatedly without any loss of quality.
Looking ahead to a circular textile chain
The textile sector is undergoing significant change. “The need for circular solutions is increasing yet the quality of post-consumer textile feedstocks often remains insufficient for high-value applications. This highlights the need for technologies that can recover materials at a quality level suitable for repeated use.”says Kees Timmermans, textile innovator at VP Textile.
The collaboration with GR3N aligns with this ambition. The technology enables used textiles to be reintroduced into the production cycle and contributes to a future-proof value chain.
From Used Textiles to New Workwear
GR3N is working on the development of a factory expected to become operational around 2030. In the coming years, further testing and scaling activities will be carried out in collaboration with VP Textile.
In the future, used garments can be processed into polyester granulate. This material can then be used by fibre and fabric manufacturers to produce new yarns, woven fabrics and knits. These textiles can subsequently be used to manufacture new workwear for HAVEP, Hydrowear and Van Heurck.
With this investment, VP Textile demonstrates that innovation, quality and sustainability go hand in hand, and that it is actively contributing to a circular future for the textile industry.
The financing round of GR3N is led by 360 Capital and CDP Venture Capital, with the participation of Armor Group as a new investor. Growth Capital acted as financial advisor to GR3N.
About VP Textile
VP Textile is the organisation behind the workwear and protective clothing brands HAVEP, Hydrowear and Van Heurck. Within this house of brands, the company combines expertise in workwear and protective wear. By bringing these brands together, the organisation offers a broad range of safety clothing and solutions for various sectors. Innovation, quality and sustainability are key principles throughout.
About GR3N
GR3N develops technology to convert polyester from used materials back into high-quality raw materials, enabling them to be reused in the production of new products.