Odlo to develop circular base layer from waste fabrics

Chemical recycling pioneer DePoly and iconic outdoor brand Odlo, both based in Switzerland, aim for converting waste fabrics into virgin-quality recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Using 20 kilograms of cut-off fabric, taken from Odlo’s popular Active Warm base layers, DePoly will attempt to break down the materials and convert them into monomers, then reassemble the material into recycled PET yarn, which would become the company’s first circular base layer.

Cutting waste from Odlo's Active Warm base layer.

To fund the proof-of-concept, DePoly and Odlo applied for a CHF 24,000 innovation grant from the Applied Circular Sustainability, one of the 18 Innovation Boosters powered by Innosuisse, the Swiss Federal Innovation Agency.

The proof-of-concept will run from October to December 2024. If successful, this project furthers Odlo’s current ambitions of closing the loop.