TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Nan Ya Plastics said Thursday it has collaborated with The North Face to turn fabric scraps into recycled clothing with an AI-powered sorting machine.

Nan Ya Plastics’ eco-friendly clothing brand, Saya, held a press conference Thursday to report its fabric recycling efforts, per CNA. Since 2022, the company has partnered with The North Face on a recycling project, converting scraps and defects into high-performance Rscuw fabric.

Saya brand manager Shih Tsung-wen (施淙文) said that an estimated 40 million tons of discarded clothing are generated worldwide each year, with 85% being incinerated or landfilled, per Liberty Times. He explained the machine can process 1,000 to 1,500 kilograms of discarded clothes per hour, identifying polyester fabric, which is then processed into reusable textiles.

The North Face uses the regenerated yarn to produce ski jackets, integrating function with sustainability, he added. The garments not only deliver exceptional performance but also show a commitment to the environment.

Nan Ya Plastics Vice President Chen Chih-wen (陳志文) explained the company’s industrial textile waste recycling capacity is 24,000 tons per year. In addition to collecting fabrics in Taiwan, it also collects in Japan and Vietnam.

The company said it estimates that by 2027, its production capacity will reach tens of thousands of metric tons, greatly improving the reuse efficiency. It is also exploring recycling old clothes and blended fabrics.