Creating the First Retail Garments from Enzymatic Recycling
Activating an innovation partnership to advance textile-to-textile recycling
ENABLING A CIRCULAR ECOSYSTEM THROUGH SORTATION
Samsara Eco is a textile recycler that is supported by lululemon and headquartered in Australia that focuses on enzymatic recycling, a low-carbon closed-loop recycling process producing virgin-identical materials. We were introduced to their team through lululemon, and worked collaboratively to achieve a major industry milestone in advancing textile circularity through trialling their latest enzymatic recycling capabilities.
Debrand enabled the trial by preparing the garments to meet Samsara Eco’s recycling requirements. Through collection, sortation, and pre-processing, the garments were separated by lights and darks, trimmed, and shredded to specification, ensuring the feedstock could move seamlessly into Samsara Eco’s process.
Once received at Samsara Eco’s facility, the textiles were broken down with enzymes, creating virgin-quality polymers that can be reused. The result was the first retail-ready polyester product made from enzymatically recycled pre- and post-consumer textiles. This trial underscored an important truth: circularity doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires alignment across the entire supply chain. In this case, Debrand, Samsara Eco, and lululemon showed what a functioning circular ecosystem can look like in practice.
Highlights
The first commercially available polyester LIMITED EDITION STYLE made from enzymatically recycled textiles
Proven results showing that true circularity requires whole supply chain collaboration
Demonstrates how innovation + logistics + brand alignment create scalable impact
THE CHALLENGE
The challenge began with how to identify and prepare high-volume, complex garments for enzymatic recycling. With so much variability in fabric types, trims, and product condition, working closely with the brand and recycling partner is essential.
Using past data and product insights to guide the selection process was critical. By analyzing design features and material composition from previous projects, focusing on materials that were easier to process to reduce handling time and costs, and ensuring substantial material yield, the teams pinpointed a range of garments as ideal candidates for this trial.
OUR PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION
Each partner played a critical role in bringing the trial to life. Debrand collected, sorted, pre-processed, and shredded the garments, transforming them into viable feedstock for advanced recycling. Samsara Eco then received this prepared material at their demonstration facility, located in Canberra, Australia, where their enzymatic recycling technology broke the textiles down into virgin-quality monomers. From there, lululemon integrated the recycled PET into their supply chain, spinning yarn and weaving it into fabric that was ultimately crafted into the limited edition Packable Anorak jacket.
Launched in April 2024, the limited edition style marked the first enzymatically recycled polyester product available for retail sale. This seamless handoff between logistics, innovation, and brand adoption underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving true circularity.
The Pilot Journey
Debrand collected, separated, sorted, removed trims and shredded the garments to Samsara Eco’s specifications. The result was high-yield feedstock that met all technical requirements for advanced recycling.
The shredded textiles were then shipped to Samsara Eco’s demo facility in Canberra, where their proprietary enzymatic recycling technology broke the materials down into their original building blocks: virgin-quality monomers (TPA). These monomers were subsequently polymerized into PET chips.
The PET chips were spun into yarn, woven into fabric, and ultimately crafted into lululemon’s Packable Anorak jacket. Launched in April 2024, this limited edition style marked the first enzymatically recycled polyester products sold at retail.
Building on the trial’s success, Debrand continues to supply Samsara Eco with pre-processed feedstock. This material will help fuel Samsara Eco’s new facility in Jerrabomberra, Australia, and will support validation runs and limited edition styles through 2026/27 and beyond.
Setting New Industry Benchmarks
This project set a new precedent for what circularity can look like in practice. It was the first time pre- and post-consumer garments were enzymatically recycled into new, retail-ready apparel, moving beyond lab experiments or pilot runs to prove commercial feasibility.
Samsara Eco’s low-carbon, closed-loop process produced virgin-identical results, while the resulting limited edition style served as commercial proof that recycled feedstock could successfully re-enter the supply chain. Most importantly, the trial highlighted how effective partnerships across the value chain—spanning sortation, recycling technology, and brand integration—are essential to making circular systems possible.
“Partnerships across the fashion value chain is how we’ll create a circular future. We’re proud to continue partnering with Debrand, lululemon and our other partners to reshape the industry.”
Sarah Cook, CCO, Samsara Eco
LOOKING AHEAD
The future of fashion is circular, and these kinds of innovation partnerships are leading the way. By connecting advanced recycling technologies with brand supply chains, these collaborations are turning circularity from concept to reality.
Looking ahead, Debrand will continue enabling innovators like Samsara Eco with the right feedstock, fueling new facilities and expanding solutions to provide PET, nylon 6,6 and mixed fibre textiles ready for enzymatic recycling.
Together, these efforts are proving that the next era of apparel can be built on circularity.