As the fashion industry races to prove its commitment to circularity, the hard truth remains: more than 99% of textiles are still made from virgin materials, and just 6.9% of the global economy operates on a circular model, according to the 2025 Circularity Gap Report, Circle Economy.
In an industry defined by declarations, what matters now is delivery. And RE&UP is doing just that – we have become the first brand in the world to achieve C2C Certified® Circularity for all products – a gold-standard validation for system-ready circular design.
“This certification demonstrates that RE&UP is ready to tackle sustainability challenges at scale for the whole industry,” said Andreas Dorner, General Manager at RE&UP. “It proves that recycled fibers can go beyond one-off sustainability claims. With Cradle to Cradle Certified® Circularity, we’re demonstrating full-system readiness – from sourcing to end-of-life.”
The certification, awarded by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, covers three RE&UP products:
- Next-Gen Recycled Cotton (Pre-Consumer) – Platinum level
- Next-Gen Recycled Cotton (Post-Consumer) – Platinum level
- Textile-to-Textile Recycled Polyester Chips – Silver level
What sets the certification apart is its rigor: materials are evaluated not only for the percentage of compatible materials for recycling, but among other things, for their, chemical safety, end-of-life recovery systems, effective integration of recycled content. The assessment is executed by a third party accredited assessing body, Eco Intelligent Growth (EIG).
“RE&UP has demonstrated that its fiber production is not just compatible with circularity – it’s purpose-built for it,” said Nienke Steen, Director of Apparel, Textiles & Footwear at the Institute.
“This achievement sets a strong precedent for what fiber innovation can look like in a circular economy,” added Elwyn Grainger-Jones, CEO and Executive Director of the Institute. “It raises the bar for what’s possible and expected from material suppliers across the fashion and textile sectors.”
RE&UP’s fibers are already being used by global brands looking to move beyond pilot-scale circularity. By embedding traceability, regulatory compliance, and mechanical integrity into the fiber itself, RE&UP is helping accelerate a shift many in the industry still treat as aspirational.
“Achieving these certifications as the first in the market speaks to the quality of our materials and our dedication to providing scalable sustainable solutions to the textile industry,” said Ebru Ozkucuk Guler, Chief Sustainability Officer at RE&UP. “Our materials were assessed not just for recycled content, but for their compatibility with future recovery, safe use cycles, and the sustainability of the surrounding infrastructure all of which are critical to providing true circularity solutions at a scale to the largest players in textiles. It reflects the robust technology of our approach and our commitment to creating solutions that don’t compromise on quality, scale, or impact.”
As calls for accountability grow louder, RE&UP’s certification shows that circular fiber systems can do more than meet expectations – they can help shape them.
