India is poised to take a definitive step in addressing the global textile waste crisis with the announcement of the world’s first textile-to-textile waste recycling facility. A strategic partnership between domestic manufacturer Ester Industries and Canada-based Loop Industries has culminated in a 50:50 joint venture, set to launch in India.
This facility will employ proprietary chemical recycling technology to repurpose discarded polyester-based textiles into virgin-quality PET resin, paving the way for a closed-loop textile economy at an industrial scale. Globally, India ranks third in textile waste generation, but currently, less than one percent of this waste is recycled into usable apparel. The new venture directly addresses this gap by introducing a process that transforms polyester waste — often deemed non-recyclable — into high-value raw material. The technology not only enhances circularity but also contributes to reducing dependency on virgin fossil-fuel-based plastics, which currently dominate over 90 percent of the sector’s input. This pivot is aligned with the broader goals of transitioning toward a carbon-neutral industrial landscape, with implications that reach well beyond fashion.
What sets this initiative apart is its technological promise and environmental commitment. Loop Industries’ patented innovation re-engineers polyester waste at the molecular level, yielding PET resin that can be repeatedly reused without degradation in quality. This technological leap holds the potential to decouple the plastic value chain from fossil fuels — a significant shift in a sector often criticised for its carbon footprint. Ester Industries has confirmed that the recycling facility will be built with a zero-liquid discharge system, ensuring no contamination of local soil or water bodies, and will adhere to stringent environmental protocols.
The development dovetails with India’s sustainability ambitions under the broader umbrella of climate resilience and responsible urbanisation. In a recent national address, the Prime Minister voiced concern about the rising volume of textile waste and underscored the importance of embracing circular fashion. Acknowledging efforts underway in textile hubs like Panipat, Bengaluru, and Tirupur, the move to host this pathbreaking facility reflects a wider governmental push to champion innovation in waste recovery and resource optimisation. The presence of such infrastructure in India is likely to catalyse a shift in both consumer behaviour and manufacturing standards across the textile sector.
Public sentiment has been overwhelmingly supportive, with sustainability advocates and citizens alike lauding the development as a transformative step in India’s green transition. Social media platforms have been abuzz with optimism, viewing the venture as more than just an industrial milestone — it is being seen as a signal that environmental stewardship and economic growth can co-exist. For a country battling the dual challenges of rapid urbanisation and rising pollution levels, this initiative offers a scalable model of how policy, technology, and enterprise can come together for a larger societal good.
India Launches Textile Circular Economy Drive
