Allbirds, H&M and Zara use recycled yarns from this Virginia startup that's backed by Patagonia

Core Insights - The fast fashion industry is a significant environmental issue, contributing to high water consumption, carbon emissions, and pollution, while also increasing microplastic and textile waste [1] - The fashion industry is responsible for 4% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new garments due to the complexity of fabric blends [2] Company Overview - Circ, founded in 2011, has developed technology to separate polycotton materials into their original components, allowing for regeneration into new, virgin quality materials [3] - Circ's hydrothermal technology can recycle polyester and cotton, which together account for approximately 77% of the global textile market [3] Business Model - Circ sources old clothing that cannot be thrifted, repaired, or resold, and after breaking down the fibers, sells them back into the clothing supply chain [4] - Notable brands such as Allbirds, Zara, and H&M utilize Circ-recycled textiles in their products [4] Market Position - Circ's approach includes a small price premium, which is considered acceptable for environmentally conscious brands like Patagonia, an investor in Circ [5] - The company has raised a total of $100 million from various investors, including Patagonia and Temasek, to support its scaling efforts [6] Expansion Plans - Circ is headquartered in Danville, Virginia, and is expanding globally with its first industrial-sized textile-to-textile recycling plant located in France [7]