Reju™, a leader in textile-to-textile regeneration, has partnered with Italy’s Rematrix, a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), to secure a sustainable supply of end-of-life textiles for its Regeneration Hubs. The collaboration, announced on April 16, 2025, aims to address Europe’s growing textile waste crisis while advancing compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
Rematrix Partnership Highlights
- Supply Chain Integration
Rematrix will leverage its industrial network and proprietary traceability platform to collect and manage post-consumer textile waste, including complex items like footwear and sportswear. This waste will feed Reju’s regeneration technology, which converts polyester textiles into Reju Polyester™—a material with a 50% lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester. - Regulatory Compliance
The partnership ensures adherence to Italy’s upcoming EPR mandates, which require brands to manage product lifecycles. Rematrix offers services like collection, sorting, reuse, and eco-design support, while Innovando, its managing partner, guarantees supply reliability and environmental standards. - Leadership Insights
- Patrik Frisk, Reju CEO: “Rematrix’s lifecycle management aligns with our mission to build circular systems. This accelerates the industry’s shift from linear waste to regeneration.”
- Enrico Soffiati, Rematrix CEO: “Combining our collection expertise with Reju’s tech empowers brands to adopt circular models that are both eco-friendly and profitable.”
Broader Context: Reju’s Circular Expansion
This alliance follows Reju’s January 2024 partnership with Cibutex, a European cooperative focused on recycling business textiles. Together, they established a closed-loop system for post-use uniforms and workwear, processed at Reju’s Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt. These efforts align with EU textile waste regulations in 2025 and growing U.S. legislative pressure.
Industry Impact
- Localized Solutions: The collaboration prioritizes near-shoring, tackling waste where it’s generated and reducing transport emissions.
- Scaling Innovation: Reju’s proprietary tech, rooted in IBM research and backed by Technip Energies, aims to regenerate polyester, diverting millions of tons from landfills infinitely.
- Market Demand: With global polyester production exceeding 60 million tons annually, Reju’s partnerships address urgent calls for scalable recycling infrastructure.
Looking Forward
Reju plans to expand its hub network globally, while Rematrix will extend its PRO services across Europe. As Gemma D’Auria, McKinsey Senior Partner, noted in their 2025 fashion report, “Agility and collaboration are critical for brands navigating sustainability and regulatory pressures.” This partnership exemplifies the industry’s shift toward circular ecosystems, blending compliance, innovation, and economic viability.
