Japan-based global polyester polymers, fibres and textiles company Teijin Fibers has announced that a new member has joined its recycling programme, the Eco Circle Garment Accessories Association.

The new member is Hong Kong Non-Woven Fabric Industrial (HKNW), which will now develop recyclable products such as fibrefill insulations for the apparel, outdoor and furnishings markets, using Teijin Fibers’ EcoPET polyester fibre made from recycled PET bottles.

Eco Circle is a closed-loop recycling system for polyester products that uses what Teijin describes as the world’s first chemical recycling technology. The company established the Eco Circle Garment Accessories Association in October 2008 to encourage Japanese firms to focus on environmental issues. Accessories developed by association members are either made from EcoPET or from Eco Circle fibres.