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Mahavir Spin Fab unveils India’s first recycled IFR garment at OSH India 2025
Categories Recycling Author admin@mahavir 0 Comments

India’s First Recycled IFR Garment

India’s First Recycled IFR Garment: The Future of Sustainable Protective Clothing

India’s First Recycled IFR Garment showcased at OSH India 2025 by Mahavir SpinFab

Big news from OSH India 2025

Mahavir Spin Fab has made history by unveiling India’s first recycled Inherent Flame-Resistant (IFR) garment — a pioneering step in aramid recycling. This game-changing innovation was recognized as the 3rd Most Innovative Product at OSH India, proving that sustainability and safety can go hand in hand.

Why recycle textiles in the first place?

    • Market Growth – The global textile market was valued at $610.91 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $755.38 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%, reflecting accelerating global demand and production.
    • Waste Generation – The textile industry is responsible for 20% of total global waste, with annual textile waste expected to grow by 60% per year from 2015 to 2030, reaching 148 million tons by 2030. Currently, 92 million tons of textile waste are generated each year, of which 73% is incinerated or landfilled, 25% is reused or recycled, and less than 1% is recycled back into clothing, resulting in a $100 billion annual loss in raw materials.
  • Carbon Emissions – The industry emits 1.2 billion tons of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gases annually, exceeding emissions from all international transport. By 2030, emissions are projected to rise by over 60%, reaching 2.8–2.9 billion tons per year, with two-thirds of these emissions linked to synthetic fiber processing. The fashion sector alone contributes over 10% of global carbon emissions, and if current demand continues, it could account for approximately 25% of global emissions by 2050.

What happens to most end-of-life IFR garments today?

Here lies the hidden graveyard of aramid garments:
  • Less than 1% of IFR clothing (Kevlar, Nomex, Conex) is ever recycled.
  • The majority ends up in landfills or is incinerated.
  • > Burning aramids releases toxic gases like hydrogen cyanide (HCN), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).
  • Many garments are classified as hazardous waste because they’re contaminated with oils, and chemicals.
The irony? These garments are designed to be indestructible — a lifesaver for workers, but a nightmare for the planet.

Why is recycling IFR garments such a challenge?

FR workwear recycling isn’t as straightforward as recycling cotton or polyester. Key challenges include:
  • Non-biodegradability of aramids → they persist for centuries.
  • Hazardous emissions if burned.
  • Mechanical strength of aramids makes shredding extremely difficult.
  • Chemical finishes & blends complicate separation and recycling.

What does Mahavir Spin Fab’s innovation mean for the industry?

By successfully creating recycled IFR garments, Mahavir Spin Fab has:
  • Proven that a circular economy in textiles is possible even for complex materials like aramids.
  • Opened the door for sustainable protective clothing that reduces dependence on virgin fibers.
  • Helped cut carbon emissions and prevent landfill waste.
  • Positioned India as a leader in flame-resistant clothing waste management.

How does recycling benefit workers and the environment?

  • Lower Carbon Footprint – Each recycled garment saves significant CO₂ emissions.
  • Less Landfill Waste – Prevents hazardous fibers from piling up underground.
  • Safer Workwear Choices – Recycled IFR garments can still meet safety standards.
  • Consumer Trust – Certifications like GRS (Global Recycled Standard) assure eco-conscious production.

What’s next for protective clothing sustainability?

The future lies in:
  • Scaling recycling infrastructure for aramids & IFR garments.
  • Collaborations between manufacturers, recyclers, and end-users.
  • Smarter collection systems for post-consumer waste (laundries, industries, government).
  • Innovation in blends & finishes that are easier to recycle.
Mahavir Spin Fab’s milestone shows that sustainable workwear isn’t a dream — it’s already here.

The Future is Circular

For decades, the end-of-life plan for IFR garments was a graveyard of landfills and toxic incineration. With this breakthrough, India’s first recycled IFR garment proves a new path is possible — one where safety, sustainability, and circularity come together.The future of protective clothing is not just flame-resistant. It’s planet-resistant.

Be Part of the Recycling Revolution

Every step towards recycling helps reduce textile waste and protect our environment.
Join us in creating a greener, safer, and sustainable future.

Learn More About Recycling
Discarded flame-resistant reflective coveralls showing need for textile recycling – Mahavir Spinfab
Categories Recycling Author admin@mahavir 1 Comment on Textile Waste: A Growing Crisis and the Need for Recycling

Textile Waste: A Growing Crisis and the Need for Recycling

Why is textile waste a problem?

The textile industry is one of the largest polluters in the world. Every year, around 92 million tonnes of textile waste is generated globally — equal to a garbage truck of clothes being dumped every second. If no action is taken, this number will rise to 134 million tonnes by 2030 and more than 200 million tonnes by 2050.Most of this waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, releasing harmful greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals. Beyond pollution, it also means wasting resources such as water, energy, cotton, polyester, and dyes used in production.

What are the different types of textile waste?

Textile waste comes in several forms:
  • Pre-consumer waste: Fabric scraps, yarn waste, and rejects from textile mills.
  • Post-consumer waste: Discarded clothes, uniforms, bedsheets, towels, and other used textiles.
  • Post-industrial waste: Leftovers from garment manufacturing, finishing, and distribution.

Where does textile waste come from?

The sources of textile waste include:
  • Fast fashion: Cheap, short-lived garments that consumers discard quickly.
  • Factories: Cutting scraps, rejected fabric, and yarn waste.
  • Consumers: Old clothes and home textiles thrown away after limited use.
Globally, nearly 87% of all textiles are sent to landfills or incinerated after their first use.

What is textile waste management?

Textile waste management refers to how textile waste is handled to minimize environmental impact. Common practices include:
  • Reuse: Donation, resale, or repairing garments.
  • Recycling: Mechanical shredding into fibers or chemical recycling into raw materials.
  • Circular economy: Policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), where brands must collect and recycle their own waste.

Is India facing a textile waste crisis?

Yes. India generates about 7.8 million tonnes of textile waste annually, making it the third-largest generator globally. While India has a strong informal recycling sector (ragpickers, collectors, sorters, and resellers), a large portion of textile waste still ends up in landfills.With the growing popularity of fast fashion in India, the country risks facing a serious textile waste crisis unless formal recycling systems and strict policies are adopted.

How much textile waste is generated in India and the world?

  • Global: 92 million tonnes annually → projected to reach 134 million tonnes by 2030.
  • India: Around 7.8 million tonnes annually (about 8% of global waste).
Unfortunately, around 73% of post-consumer textile waste goes to landfills or is burned. Only 12% is downcycled into lower-value products, 2% is reused in other industries, and less than 1% is truly closed-loop recycled into new clothes.

Can textile waste be recycled?

Yes, textile waste can be recycled in several ways:
  • Reuse & upcycling: Donating or creatively repurposing old garments.
  • Mechanical recycling: Shredding textiles into fibers and respinning them into yarn.
  • Chemical recycling: Breaking down fabrics like polyester or blends into raw materials to make new fibers.

Can textile waste be stored with dry waste?

Technically, textiles are classified as dry waste. But for better recycling, it’s best to collect them separately. Cotton, polyester, wool, and blends each need different recycling methods. Mixing them reduces the quality of recycled fibers and makes recycling less efficient.

Take Action for a Sustainable Future

Textile waste is not just an environmental problem, it’s an opportunity to build a circular economy and promote sustainable fashion. At Mahavir Spinfab, we are committed to eco-friendly textile solutions that reduce waste and protect our planet.

Take Action Against Textile Waste

Every step towards recycling helps reduce textile waste and protect our environment. Join us in creating a greener, safer, and sustainable future.
Learn More About Recycling