KEYHOUSE NEWS

At Looper Textile Co., they keep textiles out of wrongful disposal and provide solutions to extend the life of garments that are reusable. For those that can’t be reused, they ensure that the materials are recycled back into the loop at their highest value.

They collect and sort garments to extend their useful life:

Collect: They collect used and unwanted garments from retailers (including leftovers, customer returns, stop orders, faulty items, and post-consumer garments collected in stores or via post). They also collect post-consumer textiles in communities (street collection), via charity shops, and directly from consumers. 

Re-use: They extend the useful life of products (garments, shoes, accessories) through responsible reuse. The majority of garments they collect are eligible for reuse. At Looper Textile Co., facilities, they sort pieces by piece into more than 200 categories so they can meet customer needs and ensure that garments will have the best possible new life. 

Recycle: They have developed an industry-leading near-infrared (NIR) sorting line equipped with optical sensors, enabling them to detect material composition and color and thereby meet the requirements of closed-loop recyclers. For textiles where closed-loop recycling is not an option yet yet (currently the majority), they supply to open-loop recycling solutions (wiping cloths, nonwovens for insulation, and automotive). 

Recovery: A small remainder of garments that are contaminated or ineligible for reuse or recycling are disposed of in established waste facilities, prioritizing energy recovery whenever possible. 

„By investing in advanced sorting technologies, Looper Textile Co. is positioning itself as a key feedstock supplier for scalable textile-to-textile recycling solutions.” – Hélène Smits, Head of Business Development & Partnerships

Looper Textile Co. is a trusted partner in preparing garments for the next phase of their lifecycle. The bold ambition and strong heritage of this young company lies in understanding the retailer’s perspective and best-in-class operations. They are:

SOLUTIONS ORIENTED:

They meet you where you are: They provide custom solutions depending on the starting point and ambition level of the brand or retailer. This may range from securing responsible handling of unwanted garments to capturing post-consumer fibers to be introduced back into brand supply chains.

Circular supply chains: They actively support closed-loop trials to kick-start the flow of secondary raw materials into your supply chains.

Global turn key solutions: They operate three facilities in Europe, and through their global partner network, they are able to provide our solutions across all global markets. Their partners uphold their standards and share their commitment to giving unwanted garments a second life in a reliable and transparent way.

 

OPEN & TRANSPARENT:

Monthly Reports: They provide end-to-end visibility of what happens to the textiles from collection to sales markets in clear and engaging monthly reports.
Authenticity: They are straightforward about the challenges and opportunities they see, as well as their approach to each.
Customer Engagement: They can help you create a compelling narrative for your customers and answer any questions they might have.

INVESTED IN PROGRESS:

Automated Sorting for Circularity: They continue to invest in improving and scaling their automated sorting capabilities in order to supply textile feedstock to closed-loop recyclers with the right specifications. They are taking part in several trials and commercial pilots with fiber recyclers and manufacturers that bring recycled textile materials back into new products.

Responsible Re-Use: They are pushing for enhanced visibility practices within their sector via deep dives into reuse sales markets and transparent reporting. Their leadership in these areas contributes to more secure sales channels and increases the likelihood that each garment meets its intended end state. They are also involved in piloting solutions for end-of-life textiles in one of their main re-use markets in order to tackle the textile waste problem that is present there.

BEYOND COMPLIANCE:

With the introduction of the EU’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles and the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), brands and retailers face increasing pressure to take responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle, from design to production to end-of-life. Additionally, sustainability-conscious consumers are demanding transparency and ethical practices, pushing brands to adopt circular business models.

Whether you are focused solely on compliance, regard circularity as a key strategic advantage for your business, or anything in between, they can help!

Looper Textile Co.’s solutions are in accordance with ESPR, EPR, and other relevant legislation, and they ensure that you not only meet your producer requirements but also help you achieve your sustainable ambitions.