Reju and Cibutex Partner to Foster a Circular Textile Ecosystem
In a groundbreaking partnership, Reju™, a textile-to-textile regeneration firm, has joined forces with Cibutex, a cooperative dedicated to establishing sustainable textile supply chains. Announced on February 4, 2025, this collaboration aims to create an innovative ecosystem for circular textiles among the member companies of Cibutex.
Partnership Overview
This alliance marks a significant step towards enhancing the recycling of post-consumer textile waste. Reju will utilize secondary raw materials sourced from member companies in Cibutex for the creation of Reju Polyester™, a regenerated polyester product. This process not only contributes to the circular economy but also employs Reju’s cutting-edge textile recycling technology.
Reju is already on the path to establishing a global infrastructure aimed at the large-scale regeneration of textile waste, starting with polyester. It is estimated that Reju Polyester™ will have a reduced carbon footprint by 50% compared to virgin polyester, and can be regenerated infinitely. Materials collected from Cibutex member companies will be processed at Reju’s zero-waste regeneration center in Frankfurt, Germany, which is set to become operational in 2025.
The Role of Cibutex
Cibutex, established in the Netherlands in March 2022, is a cooperative that unifies textile service companies aiming to collect and process used professional textiles. This initiative provides a crucial pathway to reintroduce these materials back into the production cycle. The organization's primary objective is to close the loop on commercial textile production, ensuring that used B2B textiles are collected and turned into valuable raw materials. By integrating Reju’s exclusive regeneration technology, Cibutex’s operations will enhance traceability and scalability, essential factors for developing a truly sustainable and circular textile supply chain.
Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "Together, Reju and Cibutex are leveraging their strengths to drive change in creating a circular ecosystem for corporate textiles. Cibutex’s unique model of mobilizing member businesses aligns perfectly with Reju’s mission to regenerate textiles on a large scale. Together, we can tackle textile waste by constructing an infrastructure that diverts valuable resources from landfills and incineration while reducing the industry’s carbon footprint."
Vision for a Sustainable Future
Jan Lamme, CEO of Cibutex, added, "Our cooperative was founded on promoting a circular textile economy. Partnering with Reju enhances our ability to reintegrate used professional textiles back into the production cycle, ensuring traceability and quality vital for a sustainable future. This collaboration represents a significant advancement toward realizing our vision of a closed-loop supply chain for the textile services sector."
Addressing the Textile Waste Challenge
The joint efforts of Reju and Cibutex highlight the power of innovation and ingenuity in addressing the growing challenge of textile waste. With the European Union's mandate for textile waste collection taking effect this year, as well as ongoing regulatory efforts in the United States, this initiative arrives at a pivotal moment, providing scalable solutions to meet regulatory demands and foster a more sustainable future.
About Cibutex
Cibutex operates with the principle of circularity in textiles, advocating for increased circular practices across textile supply chains. It invites textile service businesses across Europe to join its initiative, pooling resources and expertise to provide forward-looking solutions for the industry’s challenges.
About Reju
Reju is committed to regenerating polyester and PET waste through innovative solutions. Owned by Technip Energies and leveraging IBM technology, Reju aims to build a global circular recycling ecosystem to address the PET plastic found in textiles. For more information, visit
Reju's website.
Together, Reju and Cibutex are leading the charge towards a sustainable textile future, setting a benchmark for circular economy initiatives in the industry.