Hyosung signals continued rPET interest with Pleats Mama investment
South Korea-based fibre producer Hyosung TNC recently invested an undisclosed amount in Korean fashion brand Pleats Mama, known for its sustainability-minded practices including creating clothing and accessories from recycled plastic bottles and scrap fabric.
The investment effectively renders Hyosung, which has been collaborating with Pleats Mama since 2018, a strategic partner of the brand.
Most recently, the two companies have partnered on domestic initiatives such as Regen Ocean and Love Seoul, involving Hyosung creating Regen-branded yarn derived from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) from waste plastic bottles, which Pleats Mama has then used to make fashion products.
Hyosung told local media that it would continue to collaborate with eco-friendly startups such as Pleats Mama on “prototype” materials, which it will refine through further research and development following customer feedback after initial product releases in small quantities.
Image: Pleats Mama via Instagram (@pleatsmama)
