Introduction
With growing global concern over climate change and environmental degradation, the Hong Kong fashion and textile industry is facing increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. At the same time, this transition presents new opportunities for the industry to enhance its competitiveness and strengthen long-term resilience. As an important player in global fashion trade and supply chains, Hong Kong is well positioned to support and benefit from this shift. In response, the Institute of International Sustainable Development (ISD) launched the project, “The Guide for Sustainability Journey – A Practical Toolkit for Hong Kong Fashion and Textile Industry,” with funding support from the Trade and Industry Organisation Support Fund of the Trade and Industry Department of the HKSAR Government.
Building on the findings of the previous project, this toolkit has been developed as a practical and user-friendly online resource for local enterprises, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Its purpose is to help businesses better understand sustainable technologies and solutions and apply them to their own operations. The toolkit focuses on three key improvement areas identified by the industry: handling of surplus products, design and manufacturing, and the selection of greener raw materials. It also provides accessible information on market-available technologies, practical implementation guidance, case sharing, updated policy and funding information, and customised booklet functions. Through this study and toolkit, the project aims to equip enterprises with practical knowledge and tools to support informed decision-making, encourage the adoption of green technologies, meet evolving international requirements, and advance their sustainability journey.
Fashion Trend Forecasting Tool
Heuritech is a French AI and computer vision company that has developed a fashion trend forecasting and product planning tool for brands and retailers in the fashion industry. The platform uses artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms to analyze consumer behavior, track fashion trends in real-time, and predict product demand with high accuracy. This data-driven design tool supports sustainable fashion practices by reducing overproduction, minimizing inventory waste, and enabling more informed, demand-based planning.
FINEX
Sateri’s Fibre Next (FINEX) Recycled Viscose Fiber is a sustainable breakthrough for the fashion and textile industry. It offers a circular alternative to virgin viscose (rayon) by utilizing post-consumer textile waste and post-industrial cotton scraps as raw materials. Produced through a high-efficiency closed-loop process, FINEX significantly minimizes water consumption and chemical usage. This innovation directly aligns with global efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of fibre production, turning textile waste into high-quality, fashion-ready materials.
Garment-to-Garment Recycle System
The Garment-to-Garment (G2G) Recycle System, developed by HKRITA (Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel), is a chemical recycling technology that transforms used cotton garments into new cotton fibres with properties like virgin cotton. Unlike traditional mechanical recycling, which weakens fibres and limits reuse, G2G uses a closed-loop chemical process to break down post-consumer garments into a pure cellulose solution, which is then reconstituted into high-quality fibres. This system supports circular fashion by enabling the remanufacturing of garments into new ones, significantly reducing the need for virgin cotton and minimizing textile waste.
Heat-conductive Textile
KnitWarm, a Hong Kong-based sustainable fashion brand, has pioneered a heat-conductive textile that regulates body temperature efficiently, offering a functional and eco-friendly alternative to traditional insulated fabrics. The technology integrates conductive fibres directly into the knitting process using recycled or natural materials, supporting both performance and sustainability. It aligns with on-demand production to reduce overstock and fabric waste, while also being compatible with recycling systems to promote circularity. The fabric’s adoption requires advanced knitting machines and trained personnel to maintain quality and consistency. A case study in Dongguan demonstrated that the technology can be implemented with minimal environmental impact, encouraging other SMEs to explore smart textiles. Challenges include high initial costs, niche market appeal, and the need for consumer education. Despite these, the solution provides environmental benefits by lowering energy use and waste, economic advantages through cost efficiency and premium pricing, and social value by raising awareness of sustainable fashion. KnitWarm’s success underscores the importance of combining innovation with sustainability, strategic partnerships, and clear communication to drive adoption. This case serves as a valuable reference for SMEs seeking to integrate smart, green technologies into their operations.
iGarment Job Order System
The Job Order System (JOS) is a comprehensive digital production planning and manufacturing management software developed by the Korean technology firm iGarment. JOS is specifically engineered to optimize the garment manufacturing lifecycle by boosting operational efficiency, slashing material waste, and enhancing end-to-end transparency across the production chain. As a cutting-edge design and manufacturing solution, it empowers fashion and textile enterprises to implement sustainable practices by preventing the overuse of resources and fundamentally improving long-term operational sustainability through data-driven management.
