HKRITA

HKRITA is a public research institute in Hong Kong that focuses on innovation and technology development for the textile and apparel industry. It was established in 2006 and is hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. HKRITA aims to be the leading centre of excellence in research and development, technology transfer, and collaboration for the textile and apparel industry in Hong Kong and beyond.

HKRITA conducts research projects that cover various aspects of the textile and apparel industry, such as design, manufacturing, testing, quality control, fashion retailing, and sustainability. Some of the research areas include smart textiles, wearable electronics, functional fabrics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, digital printing, 3D knitting, and recycling. HKRITA also provides licensing and consultation services to industry partners who are interested in adopting or collaborating on its research outcomes.

One of the main goals of HKRITA is to address the environmental and social challenges faced by the textile and apparel industry. HKRITA strives to develop agile solutions that can reduce the environmental impact of textile production and consumption, such as minimizing waste, water, energy, and chemical use, as well as enhancing circularity and biodegradability. HKRITA also works to create social benefits for the industry stakeholders, such as improving workers' health and safety, enhancing consumer well-being, and fostering social inclusion.

One of the examples of HKRITA's sustainability efforts is the Planet First program, which is a joint initiative with H&M Foundation. The program aims to find technologies that can contribute to a planet-positive fashion future by transforming waste into valuable resources. One of the projects under this program is reProLeather, which is a breakthrough technology that can recycle leather without using synthetic binders such as PVC or PU. The technology can separate the toxic chromium VI from the shredded leather fibers and create a new bio-based leather that is biodegradable and recyclable. This project has received funding support from the Hong Kong government, H&M Group, and Burberry Asia Limited.

HKRITA is a visionary research institute that is dedicated to advancing the textile and apparel industry with innovation and technology. It is committed to creating value for the industry and society by delivering cutting-edge solutions that can enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, and social responsibility of the textile and apparel sector.