SHEIN, the global online fashion lifestyle retailer, has achieved a significant milestone in its evoluSHEIN strategy by developing an innovative polyester recycling process in collaboration with Donghua University, a prominent research institution specializing in textile innovation.

Source: FashionUnited

This groundbreaking recycling process accommodates a broader range of materials, including both pre- and post-consumer polyester feedstock, such as textile waste and PET bottles. This flexibility enhances sourcing options for feedstock and results in better cost efficiency compared to the recycled polyester currently utilized in SHEIN's products. Donghua's research team has demonstrated that the polyester fabrics produced from this method can be recycled multiple times without significantly affecting the material properties, as the inputs are chemically broken down, refined, and reconstituted at the polymer level.

At this stage, SHEIN plans to collaborate with select partner fiber manufacturers to scale the technology from a laboratory environment to a commercial facility capable of producing recycled polyester fibers on a larger scale. This facility is anticipated to commence large-scale polyester fiber production by June 2025, aiming for an annual output of 3,000 metric tons.

This partnership with Donghua University aligns with SHEIN's goal to transition 31% of the polyester used in SHEIN-branded products to recycled polyester by 2030. Additionally, SHEIN continues to promote innovation in circular solutions and support the adoption of next-generation fibers. In September 2024, SHEIN launched the evoluSHEIN x Anitta collection, featuring styles made with Regracell®—a soft, breathable fiber crafted from a blend of recycled textile waste and FSC-certified wood inputs. Furthermore, since 2022, SHEIN has partnered with Aloqia (formerly Queen of Raw) to incorporate deadstock fabrics—leftover materials from other brands—into exclusive, limited-edition designs. In May 2024, SHEIN introduced a limited-edition SHEIN X Rescued collection, showcasing designs by SHEIN X designers that utilized deadstock materials sourced through its partnership with Aloqia.