Circular Textiles Foundation (CTF) Strengthens Partnership with Recover™ to Accelerate Textile Circularity
A deepened collaboration to scale textile to textile recycling, integrate recycled
materials into mainstream supply chains, and drive measurable reductions in textile
waste.
The CTF is proud to announce the strengthening of its partnership with Recover™, a
leading textile to textile recycler, in a shared commitment to accelerating circularity
across the global textile industry.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in scaling innovative recycling
solutions and advancing the transition from linear production models toward truly
circular systems — where textile waste becomes a valuable resource.
A Partnership Built for the Regulatory Moment
This partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the European textile industry. The revised EU Waste Framework Directive — which entered into force in October 2025 — now requires all EU Member States to establish mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles, holding producers financially accountable for the collection, sorting and recycling of the products they place on the market. With Member States required to implement these schemes within 30 months, the industry faces an urgent need for credible, scalable recycling infrastructure and independently verified solutions.
Alongside EPR, the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation introduces mandatory design standards for recyclability and, from 2026, a ban on the destruction of unsold clothing and accessories. Together, these measures create a clear regulatory imperative: textiles must be designed to be recycled, and the systems to recycle them must exist at scale.
With Recover™ headquartered in Spain and operating recycling facilities across the globe, and the CTF’s growing advocacy, training and certification work with brands across the continent following their recent EUIPO announcement, the partnership positions both organisations at the heart of the industry’s response to these landmark requirements.
Together, the CTF and Recover™ Will:
- Promote textile to textile recycling solutions — advocate for design for recyclability and champion credible third party assurance of recyclability.
- Support integration of recycled materials into mainstream supply chains — enable the production of high quality recycled material feedstock to meet growing industry demand.
- Contribute to measurable reductions in textile waste and resource use — drive tangible environmental impact through coordinated action across the value chain.
First Step: An Exclusive Workshop in Spain The first tangible step of this partnership is an exclusive, invitation only workshop — ‘From Intent to Impact: Making Recycled Content Work at Scale’ — to be held in May at Recover’s recycling facility and post-consumer innovation centre in Banyeres de Mariola, Spain, co-hosted by CTF and Recover™.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in scaling innovative recycling solutions and advancing the transition toward truly circular systems — where textile waste becomes a valuable resource.”
Tim Cross, Founder and CEO, Circular Textiles Foundation
“CTF’s work with fashion brands is naturally aligned with Recover’s mission to enable large scale sustainable change in the fashion industry. By working together, we have been able to expand our impact, particularly with our UK based partners. Following last June’s workshop in London, this strengthened partnership reflects our shared belief in the critical role of product design in securing tomorrow’s feedstock for sustainable fibres.”
Matthew Neville, Chief Commercial Officer, Recover™
The CTF and Recover™ look forward to the impact this collaboration will deliver, and to continuing to work with partners across the value chain to build a more sustainable future for the textile industry.
Notes to Editors
About the Circular Textiles Foundation:
CTF is an independent certifier and training provider dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular textile economy by advocating for Design for Recyclability. Through rigorous product certification and industry training and collaboration, CTF provides brands, retailers and recyclers with the tools and standards needed to make fibre-to-fibre recycling a commercial reality. The CTF's ‘Infinitee' mark is a certification trademark granted by the UKIPO (2024) and EUIPO (2026), carrying legal recognition across all 27 EU member states and the UK. As a certification mark, it provides a legal guarantee that goods bearing the mark meet a defined standard — in this case, that the garment is designed to be recycled.
About Recover™:
Recover™ is a leading materials science company and global producer of lowimpact, high-quality recycled cotton fiber and cotton blends at scale. Its premium, environmentally friendly, and cost-competitive products are developed in close partnership with the supply chain for global retailers and brands, providing a sustainable solution that drives large-scale change in fashion through business value and inspiration. Backed by investment from STORY3 Capital and Goldman Sachs, Recover™ is on a mission to scale its proprietary technology, create lasting positive environmental impact, and collaborate with brands, retailers, and other change-makers to meet the industry’s sustainability targets.
Media Enquiries
Ruth Hickman | Head of Communications, Circular Textiles Foundation ruth.hickman@circulartextilesfoundation.co.uk | circulartextilesfoundation.co.uk