Zalando invests in and will use Infinited Fiber’s technology
Online clothing platform Zalando has become an investor in Finnish textile technology group Infinited Fiber Company, joining earlier investors that include adidas, H&M Group, the investment arm of fashion group Bestseller and China-based viscose producer Sateri.
Infinited Fiber’s technology turns cellulose-based raw materials, including cotton-rich textile waste, into its Infinna regenerated textile fibre. It describes this fibre as having “the natural, soft look and feel of cotton”, biodegradable, free of microplastics, and suitable for recycling.
Both companies have also signed a letter of intent, which means Zalando will, in future, provide raw materials to Infinited Fiber Company in the future and use the Infinna fibre that these raw materials produce in clothes for its private label collections.
Infinited Fiber’s chief executive and co-founder, Petri Alava, said: “We are delighted to welcome Zalando as a new strategic investor into our circle of partners, and see its commitment as a further indication of the fashion industry’s strong belief in our innovation. Zalando’s vast brand portfolio and circularity initiatives provide a great basis to deepen our collaboration and to secure feedstock for our flagship plant.”
Co-chief executive at Zalando, David Schneider, described the Finnish company as “a circular technology innovator”. He said Zalando wanted to help grow the volume of textiles that are recycled into new textiles, which he put, currently, at 1%.
Zalando has a sustainability goal of extending the life of at least 50 million fashion products by 2023 and has said it views this investment in Innfina as an important step towards meeting that objective.
