Planet First in partnership with HKRITA
In collaboration with our long-standing research partner, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), we run the Planet First programme, dedicated to researching and implementing practical solutions to address climate change for the textile and fashion industry.
Key projects within Planet First
- Open Lab – enabling collaboration and research
- AI-powered Smart Garment Sorting System automating textile recycling
- reProLeather – regenerating bio-based leather from leather waste
- Acousweep – sound waves that separates microplastics from water
- Green Machine – recycling blend textiles at scale
- Absorboost – cellulose powder improving cotton quality
- Carbon Looper – CO2 capturing textiles
- G2G – miniaturized recycling machine to change consumer perception
The Planet First programme is a scale-up from our previous collaboration with HKRITA, named Recycling Revolution (2016-2019). Planet First seeks technologies that not only minimise fashion’s negative environmental impact but actively contribute to the planet’s well-being.
All solutions and learnings are shared openly with the industry, to maximise collective progress.
To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious program in our industry to move the needle in this field.
Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA
The guiding principles of Planet First:
- Speed: Applied research and iterative developments allow us to adapt quickly and progress efficiently.
- Scale: Partnering with industry stakeholders from the start enables rapid deployment and widespread adoption of solutions.
- Impact: All insights and technologies are freely shared to maximise the impact.
Most ambitious program in fashion industry
The H&M Foundation is donating USD 12 million (SEK 100 million) and the Hong Kong Government’s Innovation & Technology Fund (ITF) gives additional funding based on our donation under the existing funding mechanism, which results in a total estimated budget of USD 100 million over five years.
The portfolio consists of around 30 research projects and ranges from developing textiles that can sequester CO2 (Carbon Looper), a retro fit technology that can separate microplastics in water through sound waves (Acousweep) to opening up a first-of-its-kind lab (Open Lab) where innovators, researchers, suppliers and brands can convene, innovate, and scale together.
Project time period
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Donation: USD 100 million. H&M Foundation donates USD 12m, the Hong Kong Government’s Innovation & Technology Fund gives additional funding based on our donation under existing funding mechanism, which results in a total estimated budget of USD 100 million over five years.
