Circ's process recovers both cellulose and polyester from polycotton blends, a combination that mechanical recycling and single-fiber chemical routes generally cannot achieve. That dual-fiber recovery lets brands address the largest share of textile waste rather than only mono-material streams.
The company works with established fiber producers and apparel brands, and has a commercial-scale plant under development in France. Its recycling technology is independently recognized, including selection as a 2023 Earthshot Prize finalist.
Regulatory pressure and brand commitments are increasing demand for recycled textile inputs, while most collected clothing still ends up landfilled or incinerated. Chemical recycling routes that handle blended fabrics address a large share of that gap.
Scaling remains capital-intensive, and feedstock sorting and collection infrastructure constrain growth across the sector. Virgin-fiber prices and competition among recycling technologies shape pricing as new capacity comes online.
