The performance textile industry has thrived on new ideas and possibilities for decades and the market has long faced a myriad of challenges. So, today’s juxtaposition of opportunity and obstacle is nothing new. But unlike years past, there’s no one remedy for current industry problems; recycling alone is not the answer many expected. Now executives are paving the way forward with strategies crafted to move the needle beyond speculative development to scalable sustainable solutions.

Bright spots are on the horizon. The biosynthetic category is finding traction with brands and suppliers, despite its premium status and some performance shortcomings. There is also a heightened momentum in the textile-to-textile recycling camp. Plant-based chemistries and concepts that don’t compromise functionality are coming of age. Natural fibers like hemp have made significant inroads and “regenerative” has settled into the textile lexicon as a beacon of future development.

Circular solutions are a high priority, and while textile-to-textile technology is advancing, more is needed. Infrastructure and long-term investment to support companies working to integrate new solutions in existing supply chains is key for future success, according to the “Textile Exchange Material Market Report 2025.” The Report reveals that less than one percent of the global fiber market was from pre-and post-consumer recycled textiles in 2024.

In a recent episode of the Circularity Economy podcast, Matthew Fraser of Circle Economy and David Rakowski of Deloitte discussed insights from “The 2025 Circularity Gap Report.” “Our economy is 9.1 percent closed loop, meaning that 9.1 percent of the inputs to the economy are coming from secondary resources,” states Fraser, adding that “recycling globally is measured to be only 27 percent. There is enormous room for improvement.” Rakowski observes, “Circularity is seen in the domain of sustainability, but is more than that, it’s a driver of innovation, resilience and basically value across the world of business.” He points out, however, that policy is locked into silos and not able to tackle a lot of large systemic challenges; Bridging the gap between startups and corporate entities is critical.

No Silver Bullets

“Progress in performance textiles is a moving target,” states Karen Beattie, director of product management, Polartec. “Material availability shifts, regulations evolve, and science opens new doors. Our job is to protect the end user’s experience while continuously lowering impact—and to pivot before a good solution becomes a constraint.” Beattie offers as an example recycled polyester from post-consumer bottles. “It’s been an effective tool: strong performance and lower process energy versus many alternatives. But as the beverage industry builds closed loops for their own bottles, that feedstock tightens. So, we’re not waiting for scarcity; we’re diversifying.” She highlights bio-based pathways, new waste streams, and exploring end-of-life sources like polymer recovery from non-textile waste streams (e.g., tires), and, as infrastructure matures, for textile-to-textile routes.

Ramesh Kesh, Ph.D, senior VP, managing director, Polartec, describes textile-to-textile recycling as promising, adding, “We’re supportive, especially for polyester where quality can be recovered. But circularity only works when three things line up: feedstock you can actually collect, processes that deliver fiber quality equal to first use, and economics that scale beyond pilots. Today, those pieces are uneven by technology and by material.”  

Polartec’s multi-prong approach leads with “Durability first.” Kesh explains that the lowest-impact garment is the one that stays in service longest. “We engineer for abrasion, pilling, and wash/wear stability so products avoid premature end-of-life. That reduces waste now, while circular systems mature.” Design for future recycling and continued participation in partner pilots to validate textile-to-textile recycling, are fundamental, too. The company endorses system thinking, not silver bullets, says Kesh. “Circularity depends on collection infrastructure, policy (EPR), and brand/retail logistics. Textile-to-textile recycling is part of our roadmap, but the north star doesn’t change: make gear that lasts, and ensure the next life is real, high-quality, and scalable.”

Fit for Purpose  

“We look at the application in the most responsible way and take a function-first approach to see how we can convert that into a laminate,” explains Chad Kelly, president, eVent fabrics. “What we try to achieve is a product that meets the expectations of performance as we continue to drive toward advancing sustainability.”  

Corporate strategy is three-fold: fabric sources, responsible make, and built for longevity. “We find that customers are most interested in plant-based products, sourced responsibly from certified supply chains,” Kelly observes. The sustainable fabric technology used in eVent fabrics stormST category features a reduced carbon footprint without sacrificing functionality. The light, tough, and flexible plant-based membrane is paired with recycled or smartly sourced face and backer fabrics both in terms of performance and sustainability, and finished with a C-Zero DWR to deliver reliable, breathable waterproof protection.

According to Kelly, the goal is not having  to drill for fossil fuels to create a functional product, with a low carbon footprint, that can be continuously recycled during the course of its lifespan. He suggests that the industry mantra “Reuse, Repair, Recycle” be updated with a fourth principle, “Recyclable.” “It’s not 1985 when textiles had to meet a determined measurement or water column or other metric to define functionality,” says Kelly. “Industry has evolved.”

The company’s new Circular Collection showcases that outlook. Launched recently, textiles are engineered for recyclability and designed to support closed-loop product systems. Utilizing monomaterial constructions, the laminate fabrics make mechanical recycling more feasible. “Circularity starts with design,” states Kelly, who describes the stormST and windstormST fabrics as building blocks in the creation of  performance products that align with circular policies and scalable sustainable solutions.