A complete guide to recycled fiber fabrics: knowledge points that buyers must know!

When environmental protection becomes fashionable, get to know the "new" fabrics

Walking into clothing stores, home textile areas, and even outdoor goods counters, the words "recycled", "environmentally friendly", and "sustainable" appear more and more frequently on labels. Behind them, there is often an important material-recycled fiber fabrics. This is not just a gimmick for merchants to promote, but also an important practice for the textile industry to cope with environmental challenges and embrace the circular economy.

As a savvy buyer, whether it is choosing a comfortable T-shirt for yourself, purchasing large quantities of raw materials for the company, or finding a supply chain that matches the brand's values, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of recycled fiber fabrics. This guide will take you to a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of recycled fiber, from what it is and how it comes from, to what are the advantages and disadvantages, how to choose, how to use, how to tell the authenticity, and future trends. We strive to use the clearest language to peel off the mystery of recycled fiber.

Part I: The "past and present" of recycled fibers - basic concepts and sources
1. What is recycled fiber? Simply put, it is "waste" turned into "new clothes"!
Imagine that your empty mineral water bottles, discarded old clothes, even the scraps of cloth left over from cutting in the factory, and the old fishing nets discarded from fishing... These "garbage" that might have been landfilled, incinerated, or polluted the ocean, have been re-dissolved, purified, and re-spun through a series of complex physical or chemical processes, and finally turned into new fibers that can be woven and made into clothes. This process is called "regeneration", and the resulting fiber is "regenerated fiber".
The core is that the raw materials come from waste or recycled materials, not directly from oil (synthetic fibers) or cotton fields/forests (natural fibers). It gives waste a second life.

2. What is the difference between recycled fibers and virgin fibers? Different starting points!
Virgin fibers: Fibers made from raw materials directly obtained from the "source".
Natural virgin fibers: cotton (picked from cotton fields), wool (cut from sheep), silk (pulled from silkworm cocoons), flax (extracted from hemp stems), etc.
Synthetic virgin fibers: polyester (petroleum refining), nylon (petroleum refining), acrylic (petroleum refining), etc.
Regenerated fibers: The raw materials are "used" waste, which are recycled and reprocessed. Its "birth" carries the environmentally friendly attribute of recycling and reuse.

3. What is the relationship between regenerated fibers and natural fibers and synthetic fibers? The classification must be clear!
We often divide textile fibers into three categories according to the source of raw materials:
Natural fibers: directly derived from animals and plants in nature (cotton, linen, silk, wool).
Chemical fibers: fibers artificially made by chemical methods. Chemical fibers are further divided into:
Regenerated chemical fibers (regenerated fibers for short): The raw materials come from natural polymers (such as wood, bamboo, sugarcane bagasse) or recycled polymers (such as plastic bottles, waste textiles).
Synthetic chemical fiber (referred to as synthetic fiber): The raw materials come from fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal, and polymers (polyester, nylon, polypropylene, etc.) are obtained through chemical synthesis.
Key point: Regenerated fiber is a subcategory of chemical fiber! It can be "regenerated natural polymers" (such as recycled viscose, lyocell) or "regenerated synthetic polymers" (such as recycled polyester/rPET, recycled nylon). Buyers are easily confused by "regenerated" and "natural". Remember: all regenerated fibers are essentially "recreated" through chemical or physicochemical processes.

4. Where do the raw materials for recycled fibers come from? Find "treasures" in the garbage dump!
Post-consumer recycling (PCR - Post-Consumer Recycled): This is the most environmentally valuable source of raw materials, referring to items discarded by consumers after use. The most common are:
PET plastic bottles: mineral water bottles, beverage bottles, etc. This is the main source of recycled polyester (rPET) at present. Think about it, a few plastic bottles can become a T-shirt!
Waste textiles: worn, discarded clothes, home textile products. Recycling is difficult (difficult to classify), but the potential is huge, and it is the focus of the industry.
Abandoned fishing nets and marine plastics: It is of great significance to protect the marine ecology.
Pre-consumer recycling (PIR - Pre-Consumer Recycled / Post-industrial recycling): refers to waste and scraps generated during industrial production. For example:
Waste silk and waste blocks in the spinning process of chemical fiber factories.
Cloth scraps and scraps generated by cutting in textile factories and garment factories.
Scraps during production in plastic product factories.
Natural biomass waste: Used to produce regenerated cellulose fibers (such as viscose, modal, lyocell, etc.), raw materials such as:
Wood (from sustainably managed forests).
Bamboo.
Bagasse (a by-product of sugar production).
Soybean meal (soybean residue after oil extraction).
Milk protein (expired milk or dairy waste), etc.

Part II: The "birth journey" of recycled fibers - main types and manufacturing processes
5. What are the members of the recycled fiber family? Get to know the common varieties!
Recycled Polyester (rPET, Recycled PET):
The king of raw materials: The most mainstream and largest-volume recycled fiber on the market, mainly from recycled PET plastic bottles (mineral water bottles, beverage bottles).
Features: The performance is close to that of virgin polyester, with high strength, good elasticity, wear resistance, easy to wash and dry, and not easy to wrinkle. Widely used in sportswear, outdoor clothing, casual wear, home textiles, bags, fillings, etc.
Environmental advantages: Significantly reduce oil extraction, reduce plastic bottles entering landfills or polluting the environment (especially the ocean).
Recycled Nylon (Recycled Nylon, rNylon, Econyl®, etc.):
Source of raw materials: Mainly recycled abandoned fishing nets, carpets, industrial waste and textile scraps.
Features: Very wear-resistant, high strength, good elasticity, relatively smooth feel. Commonly used in swimwear, yoga wear, outdoor equipment (such as backpacks, tents), socks, carpets and other fields with high requirements for wear resistance.
Environmental advantages: Solve the problem of marine plastic pollution such as "ghost fishing nets" and reduce the dependence of nylon production on oil.
Regenerated cellulose fiber: This is a large category. The raw materials come from natural biomass (such as wood, bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, etc.), which are made by chemical dissolution and spinning. They are not recycled waste, but "regenerated" from natural waste or sustainably grown raw materials, also known as "artificial cellulose fibers". Common ones are:
Viscose fiber (Viscose / Rayon): The most traditional and widely used regenerated cellulose fiber. The raw material is mainly wood pulp.
Features: Good moisture absorption and breathability (better than cotton), soft and smooth feel, good drape, bright dyeing. Disadvantages: low wet strength, easy to shrink, easy to wrinkle, and large production pollution (traditional process).
Environmental considerations: The raw materials are renewable (wood), but the traditional production process is energy-intensive and polluting (using chemicals such as carbon disulfide). Buyers note: Not all viscose is "environmentally friendly". It is necessary to pay attention to whether the manufacturer adopts environmentally friendly improved processes (such as closed-loop processes).
Modal fiber (Modal): It is an upgraded version of viscose fiber, usually using beech wood pulp as raw material, and the production process has been improved.
Features: It is finer, softer and smoother than ordinary viscose, has higher strength (especially wet strength), more washable, and not easy to shrink and wrinkle. Commonly used in underwear, pajamas, T-shirts, bedding, etc.
Environmental considerations: Usually a more environmentally friendly production process (such as Lenzing Modal™) is adopted, and water and energy consumption are relatively reduced.
Lyocell fiber (Lyocell): It represents the most environmentally friendly regenerated cellulose fiber production technology at present. Brands such as TENCEL™ Lyocell.
Raw materials: Mainly from sustainably managed eucalyptus forests.
Process: It adopts an environmentally friendly NMMO solvent system with extremely high solvent recovery rate (closed-loop process) and almost no pollution emissions.
Features: It combines the advantages of natural fibers and synthetic fibers: good moisture absorption and breathability (better than cotton), soft and drapey, high strength (strong in both dry and wet states), not easy to shrink and wrinkle, good antibacterial properties, and biodegradable. It has a wide range of uses, from high-end fashion to denim and home textiles.
Environmental advantages: sustainable raw materials, green and environmentally friendly production process, and biodegradable products. It is a representative of high-end environmentally friendly fabrics.
Other regenerated cellulose fibers: such as cuprammonium fiber, acetate fiber, etc., are relatively niche in application.
Other regenerated fibers:
Regenerated polypropylene (rPP): used for carpets, ropes, non-woven fabrics, etc.
Regenerated acrylic: relatively rare.
Regenerated protein fiber: such as regenerated milk protein fiber (using expired milk), the feel is similar to silk or cashmere, but the output is small.
Regenerated elastic fiber: such as regenerated spandex, the technology is difficult and is under development.

6. How is the regenerated fiber "changed"? Physical method vs chemical method!
Physical recycling method (mainly used for recycled polyester/rPET, recycled nylon, etc.):
Process: Recycled plastic bottles/waste -> sorting, cleaning, crushing into fragments/bottle pieces -> high temperature melting -> filtering impurities -> spinning -> stretching and shaping -> recycled fiber.
Advantages: Relatively simple process, low energy consumption, low cost.
Disadvantages: High requirements for raw material purity. After multiple physical recycling, the molecular chain will break and degrade, the performance will decrease (such as strength, color), and odor may be produced. Mainly used in fields where the requirements are not particularly high.
Chemical recycling method (mainly used for recycled polyester/rPET, recycled nylon, etc., and is also the only method for regenerating cellulose fibers):
Process: Recycled plastic/waste -> depolymerization -> decomposition into original monomers or small molecules -> purification -> repolymerization -> spinning -> recycled fiber.
Advantages: It can remove impurities and pigments, and obtain high-quality recycled fibers with quality close to or even equivalent to virgin fibers, which can be recycled multiple times. The color and performance are more stable.
Disadvantages: Complex process, high technical requirements, relatively high energy consumption and cost.
Buyer's focus: Understanding the regeneration process helps to judge the fiber quality and cost. Fibers obtained by chemical recycling are usually of higher quality and more stable, suitable for high-end applications, and more expensive. Physical methods have low costs, but performance may be compromised. Regenerated cellulose fibers (viscose, modal, lyocell) are all produced by chemical methods, but Lyocell's closed-loop process is the most environmentally friendly.

Part III: The "real ability" of recycled fibers - performance characteristics and advantages
7. Performance is close to the original, and environmental protection is a plus!
The performance of recycled polyester (rPET) is very similar to that of virgin polyester: high strength, good elasticity, wear resistance, wrinkle resistance, easy to wash and quick drying.
Recycled nylon (rNylon) also inherits the excellent wear resistance, strength and elasticity of virgin nylon.
High-quality chemically recycled regenerated fibers can achieve performance almost the same as virgin fibers.
The core advantage is: while maintaining (or close to) the original performance, it significantly reduces the environmental footprint! This is one of the most important reasons for buyers to choose them.

8. Environmental advantages: reduce the burden on the earth!
Reduce resource consumption: save oil (recycled polyester/nylon), reduce wood felling (regenerated cellulose fiber, especially from sustainably managed forests).
Reduce waste: "Save" plastic bottles, waste textiles, industrial waste, etc. from landfills, incinerators, and oceans, turning waste into treasure.
Reduce carbon emissions: The energy consumption and carbon emissions of producing recycled fibers (especially physical methods) are usually lower than those of virgin fibers (especially virgin synthetic fibers). For example, the production of rPET saves a lot of energy compared to virgin PET.
Protect the ecology: Reduce the pressure on the exploitation of virgin resources and reduce the harm of plastic pollution to marine life (especially recycled nylon comes from fishing nets).
Promote the circular economy: It is a key link in realizing the closed loop of "resources-products-renewable resources".

9. The unique charm of regenerated cellulose fiber:
Moisture absorption and breathability: As comfortable as cotton and silk, or even better (such as lyocell).
Soft and skin-friendly: Smooth feel, good drape, and comfortable to wear.
Natural luster: Has a silk-like luster.
Biodegradable: Under certain conditions (such as industrial composting), it can eventually decompose into water and carbon dioxide and return to nature (especially lyocell). This is the ultimate environmental attribute that synthetic fibers (including recycled polyester/nylon) cannot match.
Reduces microplastic risks: The amount of microplastics released when washed is much lower than that of synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, etc.).

Part IIII: The "little temper" of recycled fibers - limitations, challenges and key points for purchase
10. Performance is not perfect, understand its limitations!
Physically recycled fibers (such as rPET):
Performance degradation after multiple recycling: Molecular chain breakage may result in strength and color stability that are not as good as virgin or chemically recycled fibers. Quality degradation after multiple cycles is an industry challenge.
Potential odor/impurities: If the cleaning is not thorough or the raw material source is complex, odor or trace impurities may remain.
Color restrictions: Physically recycled rPET is usually white or needs to be re-dyed, and dark or bright colors may not be as stable as virgin fibers.
Regenerated cellulose fiber:
Wet strength: Ordinary viscose has low wet strength and is easily damaged in a wet state (be careful when washing). Modal and lyocell have greatly improved wet strength.
Easy to wrinkle (viscose): Ordinary viscose is easy to wrinkle, while modal and lyocell have better wrinkle resistance.
Shrinkage (viscose): Ordinary viscose has a large shrinkage rate and needs to be pre-shrinked. Modal and lyocell have a small shrinkage rate.
Pollution in the production of traditional viscose: This is the main environmental pain point of viscose fiber (buyers need to pay attention to distinguish environmentally friendly improvement processes).
Common challenges:
Microplastic release: All synthetic fibers (including recycled polyester and nylon) will release microplastics when washed, polluting water sources. This is a problem that cannot be completely avoided at present (pay attention to anti-microplastic laundry bags when purchasing).
Traceability and certification: Is the supply chain transparent? How to ensure that the raw materials are really recycled? Is the content real? You need to rely on a reliable certification system (see below).
Cost: High-quality recycled fibers (especially chemically recycled and lyocell) are usually more expensive than virgin fibers (large-scale production and technological progress are improving this).
Technical limitations: Not all fibers (such as elastic fibers) are easy to regenerate effectively.

11. The core concerns of buyers when purchasing recycled fiber fabrics:
Clarify the needs: What products do you want to make? What are the performance requirements? (Strength? Feel? Moisture absorption? Wear resistance?) How much is the budget?
Distinguish the types: Is it recycled polyester (rPET)? Recycled nylon? Recycled viscose? Modal? Lyocell? Or a blend? The performance of different types varies greatly!
Pay attention to the source and content of raw materials:
Is it PCR (post-consumer recycling) or PIR (pre-consumer recycling)? PCR is usually more environmentally friendly.
What is the content of recycled fibers? Is it 100% recycled or a blend? What is the blend ratio? (The label should be clearly marked, such as: 50% Recycled Polyester, 50% Organic Cotton).
Is the raw material of regenerated cellulose fiber (viscose/modal/lyocell) from sustainably managed forests?
Pay attention to certification and transparency:
Global Recycled Standard (GRS): This is the most widely used and authoritative recycled material certification standard. It certifies:
The content of recycled materials in the product.
Traceability of the supply chain (from recycling to the final product).
Environmental and social responsibility in the production process (limiting harmful chemicals, protecting workers' rights, etc.).
Buyers should give priority to fabrics and products that have obtained GRS certification (see the tag or certificate).
Recycled Claim Standard (RCS): A simplified version of GRS, focusing only on recycled content and supply chain traceability, without environmental and social responsibility requirements. It is lower than GRS requirements.
Brand-specific certification: Such as Econyl® (recycled nylon), TENCEL™ (lyocell, modal), Repreve® (recycled polyester), etc. These brands usually have their own quality control and traceability systems and have a good reputation.
Forest certification: For regenerated cellulose fibers (such as lyocell, modal, viscose), the raw wood pulp should come from sustainably managed forests certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). Brands such as TENCEL™ have strict requirements for this.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: Ensure that the fabric does not contain harmful substances and is safe for the human body. Recycled fiber fabrics should also pass this certification.
Investigate the credibility of suppliers: Choose suppliers with a good reputation and willing to provide detailed information and certification documents. Don't trust verbal promises.
Request samples for testing: For large-volume purchases, be sure to request samples for physical property testing (strength, color fastness, shrinkage, etc.) and appearance and feel evaluation.

Part V: The "Lifestyle" of Recycled Fibers - Application, Care and Identification
12. Where are recycled fiber fabrics used? Everywhere!
Clothing:
rPET: T-shirts, shirts, pants, jackets, sportswear (football jerseys, running clothes), outdoor clothing (jackets, fleece clothes), down jacket fabrics, socks, underwear (part).
rNylon: swimsuits, yoga clothes, jackets, lightweight down jacket fabrics, windbreakers, backpacks, socks, underwear shoulder straps.
Regenerated cellulose fiber:
Viscose/Modal: underwear, pajamas, T-shirts, shirts, dresses, casual pants, home clothes.
Lyocell: high-end shirts, dresses, pants, suits, denim, sweaters, underwear.
Home textiles:
rPET/rNylon: filling (imitation down), sofa fabrics, curtains, carpets, mattress covers.
Regenerated cellulose fiber: sheets, quilt covers, pillowcases, towels (less), bathrobes, curtains.
Industrial textiles:
rPET/rPP/rNylon: Non-woven fabrics (shopping bags, medical protective clothing, wipes), geotextiles, filter materials, ropes, industrial fabrics, automotive interiors.
Regenerated cellulose fibers: Medical bandages, sanitary materials (such as Lyocell for wound dressings).
Accessories and bags: Backpacks, handbags, hats, shoe fabrics (sports shoe uppers).

13. How to care for regenerated fiber fabrics? Extend the life of clothing!
General principles: Read the washing label carefully! Different types of regenerated fibers have different care requirements.
Regenerated polyester (rPET)/regenerated nylon (rNylon):
Usually machine washable, the water temperature should not be too high (normal temperature or cold water).
Avoid high-temperature drying, medium and low temperatures or air drying are appropriate, high temperatures can easily cause shrinkage or damage.
Avoid contact with strong bleach.
Relatively wrinkle-resistant, generally no need to iron, if ironing is required, use low temperature.
Beware of microplastics: Use anti-microplastic laundry bags (such as Guppyfriend) to reduce the release of microplastics into the water environment during washing.
Regenerated cellulose fibers (viscose/modal/lyocell):
Viscose: Low wet strength! Hand wash or gentle machine wash (with laundry bag) is recommended, cold water. Avoid wringing, it is advisable to gently squeeze out the water and lay it flat to dry. It is easy to shrink, confirm whether it is pre-shrunk before purchasing. It is easy to wrinkle and needs to be ironed (medium temperature, not too wet).
Modal/lyocell: It has good wet strength and can be machine washed (gentle mode) in cold or warm water. Avoid high temperature drying, it is advisable to lay it flat to dry or dry it at medium and low temperature. The shrinkage rate is small. The wrinkle resistance is better than viscose. If you need to iron it, use medium temperature.
Avoid long-term soaking.
Avoid chlorine bleaching.
Blended fabrics: The care method should follow the requirements of the most "delicate" fiber.

14. How to distinguish true and false "regeneration"? Be a smart buyer!
Look at the label: This is the most direct way. Formal products should clearly indicate the fiber composition and percentage (e.g. 100% Recycled Polyester; 60% TENCEL™ Lyocell, 40% Organic Cotton).
Check certification: Look for authoritative certification marks, such as GRS, RCS, specific brand marks (Econyl®, TENCEL™, Repreve®), OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. Ask suppliers to provide certificates.
Ask about sources and transparency: Ask sellers or brands about the source of recycled materials (PCR/PIR), recycling ratio, and supply chain information. Be wary of vague statements.
Price reference: High-quality recycled fiber fabrics (especially GRS certified, PCR raw materials, chemical regeneration, Lyocell) usually cost more than virgin fiber fabrics or low-quality recycled products. The authenticity of overly low-priced products is questionable.
Sensory aids (with certain limitations):
rPET fabrics: High-quality look and feel are no different from virgin polyester. Low-quality physical regeneration may be dark in color, have slight spots or odor.
Regenerated cellulose fiber: Feel, gloss, and drape are its characteristics, but it is impossible to distinguish between original and regenerated by sense alone (because their raw materials are all natural polymers, the essence is the same). The key is to look at certification and labels.
Professional testing: For important purchases or serious doubts, it can be sent to a third-party testing agency for component analysis and infrared spectroscopy to determine whether it contains recycled components and the proportion (the cost is higher).

Part VI: The "Tomorrow's World" of Recycled Fibers - Trends and Prospects
15. Industry Development Trends: In the Ascendant, Continuing to Evolve!
Demand continues to grow: Consumers' increased environmental awareness, brand commitment to sustainable development, and government regulations (such as EU policies) jointly drive the rapid growth of the recycled fiber market.
Diversification of raw material sources:
Increasing the recycling of waste textiles: Breaking through the bottleneck of sorting and cleaning technology is the key.
Exploring more sources of waste: such as tires, composite materials, etc. (technically difficult).
Biological-based recycled raw materials: Using non-edible biomass (such as agricultural waste) to produce chemical monomers for the manufacture of "bio-based recycled fibers".
Technological innovation:
Improvement of chemical recycling technology: Improve efficiency, reduce costs, improve the quality of recycled fibers (making them closer to or even beyond virgin fibers), and expand the types of recyclable fibers (such as elastic fibers).
Improvement of physical recycling technology: Improve sorting and cleaning accuracy and reduce performance loss.
Application of biotechnology: Explore biological methods such as enzymatic hydrolysis to recycle waste textiles.
Microplastic reduction technology: Develop fiber structures or finishing technologies that are not easy to release microplastics.
Circular closed loop construction:
Design for Recycling: Reduce blending, use single materials, and easy-to-disassemble design.
Establish a more complete recycling system: from consumer recycling to industrial processing.
"Fiber-to-fiber" recycling: The goal is to achieve direct and efficient recycling of waste textiles into new textiles, reducing downgraded recycling (such as fillings, non-woven fabrics).
Standards and certification improvement: A stricter, more transparent, and more comprehensive standard system will be established and applied.
Continuous cost optimization: As technology matures, scale expands, and the recycling system improves, the cost competitiveness of recycled fibers will continue to increase.

16. Advice to buyers: Embrace trends and make rational choices!
Incorporate sustainability into purchasing decisions: Recycled fibers are an important choice for practicing sustainable development.
Continuous learning and focus on the forefront: Recycled fiber technology is developing rapidly, keep an eye on the latest developments and certification requirements.
Balance performance, cost and environmental protection: Not all scenarios must be 100% recycled. Choose the right proportion and type of recycled fibers based on product positioning and budget. Sometimes blending is a more realistic choice.
Emphasis on supply chain transparency and cooperation: Establish long-term partnerships with suppliers who are environmentally friendly and transparent.
Communicate value: If facing end consumers, clearly and truthfully communicate the recycling story and environmental value of the product, but avoid "greenwashing".
Consider the entire life cycle: In addition to raw materials, we should also pay attention to the environmental protection of the entire chain of fabric production, transportation, use (care), and waste disposal.

Recycled fiber - the green link between the present and the future
Recycled fiber fabric is no longer a vague environmental protection concept, but a realistic choice with vitality, continuous technological innovation and increasingly wide application. It represents an important step in the transformation of the textile industry from a linear consumption model to a circular recycling model.

For buyers, in-depth understanding of the types, sources, processes, performance, advantages and limitations, certification systems and purchase points of recycled fibers is the basis for making wise decisions. Whether pursuing higher environmental value (such as choosing rPET or rNylon with high PCR content and GRS certification), or preferring a top experience that combines comfort and sustainability (such as choosing TENCEL™ Lyocell), the recycled fiber family can provide a wealth of options.

Choosing recycled fiber is not only choosing a fabric, but also choosing a more responsible attitude towards the environment, and choosing to participate in building a resource recycling and more sustainable future. This knowledge guide hopes to be your practical partner in exploring and practicing this green road. Remember, every responsible purchase and consumption is a vote for the future of the earth.