LONDON – Fast Retailing Co., the operator of the Uniqlo casual apparel chain, says it will produce clothes made from used plastic bottles in cooperation with Toray Industries Inc. The fashion retailer will put the items on sale in next year’s spring-summer season, mainly targeting eco-conscious consumers, Fast Retailing said Monday. In an interview in London, Tadashi Yanai, chairman, president and chief executive officer at Fast Retailing, expressed confidence that the new products will sell well. “Young people are especially conscious of sustainability. European consumers have high awareness. I’m confident that (the new products) will be accepted,” he said. Fibers made from the recycling of used polyethylene terephthalate bottles have already been available. The new products have fibers made with advanced technologies to remove impurities, according to Fast Retailing. The company will first use the new fibers in its Dry Ex line of quick-drying clothing. The new products are expected to be worn by athletes with contracts with Uniqlo, including tennis player Roger Federer. Starting in the 2020 autumn-winter season, Fast Retailing will also sell products made from used down jackets that are recycled after being collected at Uniqlo stores.
Fast Retailing, owner of clothing chain Uniqlo, has partnered with Toray Industries to develop products for its Dry Ex line made from recycled plastic bottles. The first garments are scheduled to be among Uniqlo's 2020 spring-summer collection and are aimed at sustainability-conscious younger consumers. Fast Retailing added that, from next year's autumn season, it would sell clothes made from recycled down jackets.