Refiberd Textile Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth & Forecast 2034

Refiberd Textile Industry Perspective:

The global refiberd textile market size was worth approximately USD 5.67 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to around USD 9.33 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 5.68% between 2025 and 2034.

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Key Insights:

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global refiberd textile market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 5.68% over the forecast period (2025-2034).
• In terms of revenue, the global refiberd textile market size was valued at approximately USD 5.67 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 9.33 billion by 2034.
• The refiberd textile market is projected to grow significantly due to rising environmental concerns about textile waste, increasing regulatory pressure on fashion and textile industries to adopt circular practices, growing consumer preference for sustainable products, and expanding investments in textile recycling infrastructure and technology.
• Based on fiber type, the cotton segment is expected to lead the refiberd textile market, while the polyester segment is anticipated to experience significant growth.
• Based on the source, the post-consumer waste segment is expected to lead the refiberd textile market, while the industrial scraps segment is anticipated to witness notable growth.
• Based on application, the apparel segment is the dominating segment, while the automotive textiles segment is projected to witness sizeable revenue over the forecast period.
• Based on end-user, the fashion brands segment is expected to lead the market compared to the textile manufacturers segment.
• Based on region, Europe is projected to dominate the global refiberd textile market during the estimated period, followed by North America.

Refiberd Textile Market: Overview

Refiberd textile refers to fibers that are recovered from used clothing, fabric scraps, or textile waste and processed into usable fibers for making new textile products. This helps reduce environmental harm by giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to landfills or be burned. The process usually includes collecting used textiles, sorting them by fiber type and color, removing trims like buttons and zippers, shredding the fabrics into small pieces, and then breaking them down into fibers through mechanical or chemical methods. Mechanical refibering pulls apart textile waste without changing its structure, but it can create shorter fibers that are lower in strength. Chemical refibering uses special treatments to dissolve fabrics and produce longer, higher-quality fibers that are more similar to those of new materials. Refiberd fibers can be used alone or blended with new fibers based on the required quality. Clothing brands are increasingly using refiberd textiles to offer sustainable fashion choices. Home textile makers use them in bedding, towels, and furniture fabrics. Technology continues to advance, improving sorting, processing, and quality control to produce better products.

The growing awareness of textile waste problems and increasing demand for circular economy solutions are expected to drive substantial growth in the refiberd textile market throughout the forecast period.

Refiberd Textile Market Dynamics

Growth Drivers

Environmental regulations and circular economy initiatives

The refiberd textile market is growing quickly as governments introduce rules to reduce textile waste and encourage a circular economy where materials stay in use instead of being thrown away after one use. The fashion industry creates huge amounts of waste, with millions of tons of textiles being sent to landfills each year, which is increasing the pressure for solutions. Extended producer responsibility programs in many regions make brands responsible for managing products at the end of their life cycle. Some countries are banning textile disposal in regular waste, leading to the development of new collection and recycling systems.

The European Union is very active in promoting circular practices across the textiles sector. Clear recycling targets are being set with fixed percentages to reach by future dates. Governments offer funding and incentives for companies investing in textile recycling technology and facilities. Investors are encouraging sustainable practices, and consumer awareness campaigns are increasing demand for recycled products. Eco-labels and certifications help shoppers choose refiberd textile items, while media attention on pollution from synthetic fabrics is pushing for faster action.

How are technological advancements in textile recycling and fiber regeneration driving the refiberd textile market expansion?

The global refiberd textile industry is growing as new technologies improve recycled fiber quality, lower processing costs, and make it possible to recycle more complex textiles that were earlier considered non-recyclable. Automated sorting systems using near-infrared technology and artificial intelligence can quickly identify fiber types and separate mixed textiles, thereby solving a major recycling barrier. Improved mechanical processing equipment creates longer fibers during shredding, leading to stronger and better-quality materials. Chemical recycling can break down polyester into its original form and turn it into a new fiber with the same quality as new polyester.

Solvent-based systems dissolve cotton and other cellulosic fibers, regenerating them without major damage, thereby allowing for multiple recycling cycles. Enzyme treatments help separate blended fabrics into individual fibers, making it easier to recycle clothes made from mixed materials. Color removal technology removes dyes during processing, allowing the fibers to be reused in any new color. Digital tracking helps identify garment materials at the end of their life for proper recycling.

Restraints

How are quality concerns and technical limitations creating key restraints for the refiberd textile market?

The refiberd textile market faces challenges because the refibering process, especially mechanical methods, can reduce fiber quality by shortening fibers and lowering strength compared to virgin material. Shorter fibers from shredding create weaker, less durable yarn, which affects fabric performance. The look and feel of textiles made with mechanically refiberd material can differ from those made with virgin fiber products, making premium apparel buyers less willing to choose them. Achieving uniform color is challenging when using mixed textile waste, which limits its use in products that require precise shades.

Contamination from buttons, zippers, elastics, and labels must be fully removed to avoid quality issues. Blended fabrics, which contain more than one fiber type, are challenging to recycle because each material requires a distinct recycling method. Chemical finishes, coatings, and dyes on used textiles can interfere with the processing and affect the properties of regenerated fibers. Cotton becomes stiffer and loses its softness after mechanical recycling, whereas synthetic fibers can suffer from heat damage if temperatures are not properly controlled.

Opportunities

How is the demand from the fashion industry for sustainable material alternatives creating opportunities in the refiberd textile market?

The refiberd textile industry has strong opportunities as the fashion sector looks for sustainable material choices to meet consumer expectations, improve brand image, and reach environmental goals. Major fashion brands are announcing targets to include more recycled content in their collections by set future dates. Fast fashion companies, under pressure for wasteful practices, are investing in refiberd textiles to show real improvement.

Luxury brands are also releasing collections made with recycled materials to attract environmentally conscious shoppers. Sportswear companies are widely using refiberd polyester in activewear and footwear, while denim brands are adding refiberd cotton to jeans to reduce the impact of this resource-heavy category. Fashion events are promoting sustainable materials and recognizing brands using innovative recycled content. Many brands are teaming up with recycling technology companies to develop higher-quality refiberd materials suitable for premium products.

Challenges

Addressing infrastructure gaps and collection system limitations

The refiberd textile market faces ongoing challenges due to weak collection systems for used textiles and limited facilities able to sort and process textile waste into usable feedstock. Many regions lack convenient drop-off points for clothing and household textiles. Existing collection systems often mix textiles with other waste or fail to separate items suitable for resale from those meant for recycling. Sorting facilities with the right capacity and technology are few, and transportation costs for moving bulky, low-value textile waste to processing sites make operations expensive.

Many people still throw textiles in the regular trash due to low awareness or limited access to recycling options. Charity donation systems tend to focus more on resale than recycling, thereby reducing feedstock for refibering. International trade in used textiles complicates the growth of local recycling systems. Seasonal patterns in discarded textiles create an inconsistent feedstock supply for refibering plants. Quality differences make it hard to plan production and maintain consistent output.

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Refiberd Textile Market: Report Scope

Refiberd Textile Market: Segmentation

The global refiberd textile market is segmented based on fiber type, source, application, end user, and region.

Based on fiber type, the global refiberd textile industry is classified into cotton, polyester, wool, nylon, blended fibers, and others. Cotton leads the market due to its widespread use in textiles, consumer familiarity with cotton fabrics, and growing demand for sustainable natural fiber options.

Based on the source, the industry is segregated into post-consumer waste, pre-consumer waste, industrial scraps, textile factory waste, and others. Post-consumer waste leads the market due to the enormous volume of used clothing and household textiles discarded annually, growing consumer awareness about recycling, and the increasing availability of collection systems targeting end-of-life garments.

Based on application, the global refiberd textile market is divided into apparel, home textiles, automotive textiles, industrial textiles, technical textiles, and others. Apparel is expected to lead the market during the forecast period due to strong brand commitments to using recycled content and growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion products.

Based on end-user, the global market is segmented into fashion brands, textile manufacturers, the automotive industry, home furnishing companies, the construction industry, and individual consumers. Fashion brands hold the largest market share due to their direct connection to consumers, their aggressive recycled content goals, and their influence throughout the textile supply chain.

Refiberd Textile Market: Regional Analysis

What factors are contributing to Europe leading the refiberd textile market?

Europe has a strong position in the refiberd textile market because of strict environmental rules, advanced waste management systems, high consumer awareness, and large investments in textile recycling technology and infrastructure. The European Union has introduced clear circular economy policies that focus on reducing textile waste and increasing recycling. Many member countries are adopting extended producer responsibility programs, which create funding to support textile collection and recycling systems.

Several European nations have also banned the sending of textiles to landfills or incinerators, requiring separate collection so that more materials can be reused or recycled. Fashion brands based in Europe, including major luxury and sportswear companies, are leading the shift toward using more recycled materials in their products. The region is home to advanced recycling technology firms that are improving both chemical and mechanical recycling methods, while strong research institutions and universities continue to innovate in fiber regeneration.

European consumers show high levels of environmental concern and are more willing to choose sustainable products, which supports market growth. Well-organized charity shops and collection systems supply a steady flow of textile waste suitable for recycling. Governments provide grants and financial support for new recycling facilities and technology development. Collaboration across the industry, involving brands, recyclers, and technology companies, helps address technical challenges. Scandinavian countries strongly promote circular economy practices and have high textile collection rates.

North America is experiencing rising growth, driven by sustainability.

North America is seeing strong growth in the refiberd textile market as environmental awareness rises among consumers and companies, and as recycling infrastructure and investment in sustainable textile technology continue to expand. California has introduced extended producer responsibility rules for textiles, which will help create organized systems for collection and recycling. Major fashion brands and retailers in the United States are setting clear targets to use more recycled materials, including refiberd textiles, across their product ranges.

The outdoor clothing sector, which is very influential in North America, has been one of the earliest users of recycled polyester and other refiberd materials. Consumer awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion and textile waste is increasing through media, documentaries, and advocacy campaigns, encouraging people to choose more sustainable products. Venture capital funding for textile recycling startups is growing, supporting companies developing new technologies. Universities and research institutions are working on advanced fiber regeneration methods and training skilled professionals for the recycling sector.

Existing waste management systems are being updated to include textile collection and sorting. Partnerships between brands and recycling companies are helping build stable supply chains for refiberd materials. Corporate sustainability reporting in North America is becoming more detailed, and certification programs help verify recycled content and build trust. Several cities are also adding textile recycling to curbside collection, and athletic brands are using refiberd polyester widely.

Recent Market Developments:

• In June 2025, Syre announced partnerships with U.S. retailers Gap and Target to supply recycled polyester made from used garments, marking one of the largest commercial-scale commitments in the refiberd textile market.
• In September 2025, Refiberd secured additional funding from PDS Ventures to scale its AI-driven textile sorting and recycling technology, supporting expansion of advanced feedstock processing in the refiberd textile market.

Refiberd Textile Market: Competitive Analysis

The leading players in the global refiberd textile market are:

• Lenzing AG
• Renewcell
• Unifi Inc.
• Evrnu
• Circ
• Infinited Fiber Company
• Worn Again Technologies
• Recover
• Aquafil
• Circular Systems
• Reliance Industries Limited
• Repreve
• Patagonia
• The Renewal Workshop
• Retex Textiles

The global refiberd textile market is segmented as follows:

By Fiber Type

• Cotton
• Polyester
• Wool
• Nylon
• Blended Fibers
• Others

By Source

• Post-Consumer Waste
• Pre-Consumer Waste
• Industrial Scraps
• Textile Factory Waste
• Others

By Application

• Apparel
• Home Textiles
• Automotive Textiles
• Industrial Textiles
• Technical Textiles
• Others

By End User

• Fashion Brands
• Textile Manufacturers
• Automotive Industry
• Home Furnishing Companies
• Construction Industry
• Individual Consumers

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa