December 26, 2024 – Indorama Ventures Launches RECO Collective 2025 to Empower SMEs in Sustainable Fashion and Furniture
Global sustainable chemistry giant Indorama Ventures has recently announced the official launch of its RECO Collective 2025 initiative, aimed at deepening education on recycling and upcycling practices and inspiring small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the fashion and furniture industries to embrace recycled materials. The program emphasizes the use of rPET fibers derived from recycled PET bottles to create sustainable products, collaborating with top partners who share the same sustainable business philosophy across the value chain.
Originally introduced in 2011 as the RECO Young Designer Contest, RECO Collective has evolved from a fashion-focused platform into a collaborative exchange hub for designers of furniture, home decor, and lifestyle products. By integrating recycled PET materials into a wider range of products, RECO Collective highlights the design concept of achieving commercial value and long-term sustainability through the use of recycled materials, aligning with Indorama Ventures’ vision of enhancing the perception of recycled material value and promoting a circular economy as a new industry standard. Now in its second year, RECO Collective 2025 expands its scope to engage a broader audience, including a new generation of SMEs interested in using recycled materials in their design and production processes. Building on the success of its first year, the program has already partnered with several eco-conscious fashion brands, bringing their products into retail spaces like Ecotopia and Dapper.
The core activities of RECO Collective 2025 are diverse and enriching. They include the RECO Incubation Lab, a knowledge-sharing platform that brings together industry experts’ extensive expertise to provide designers and SMEs with comprehensive sustainable brand promotion guidance, from sourcing eco-friendly materials to sales and marketing strategies. Additionally, partnership building is a key component, collaborating with partners such as Thai Taffeta (a recycled PET fabric supplier), Jaspal Group (a regional lifestyle fashion leader joining as a partner for the first time), and retailers and industry experts including Ecotopia and Dapper, to expand RECO Collective’s influence and extend guidance and support for sustainable business practices across different industries. Product preparation is another vital aspect, offering expert consultation and guidance to six SME entrepreneurs to launch sustainable collections. This year’s highlighted brands span fashion design with tISI, Endless Holiday, and KH Editions, and product design with Mobella, Anew.Craft, and Daybreak.
According to AsiaMB’s understanding, Ms. Aradhana Lohia Sharma, Vice President of Indorama Ventures, stated, “RECO Collective’s impact extends beyond products; it strives to build an ecosystem that closely connects designers, businesses, and consumers committed to sustainability. Together, we are not only changing how products are created but also reimagining our business models – from material sourcing to product design and consumer engagement, striving for more responsible, collaborative, and sustainable development throughout the value chain. RECO Collective demonstrates Indorama Ventures’ unwavering commitment to promoting a circular economy and reinforces the importance of recycling as one of the most impactful and responsible sustainable development solutions.” Through close collaboration with SMEs and industry leaders, RECO Collective plays a crucial role in facilitating easier access to sustainable products for consumers in Thailand and beyond, while supporting the development of sustainable supply chains and showcasing to the world that eco-friendly products can be both aesthetically appealing and highly functional.