Kleiderly

Kleiderly is a German startup that converts textile waste into plastic products that are sold to consumers. The company’s plastic is a greener alternative to oil-based plastics and is compatible with existing production machinery. The company claims its patent-pending technology is able to recycle 85% of all fabrics used, including offcuts from clothing production or even used clothing. This includes blends containing polyester, cotton, viscose, and elastane, which is difficult for traditional recycling. Kleiderly’s material has a lower melting point compared to traditional plastics, resulting in energy savings. It is 47% more durable than polypropylene and has an 85% lower carbon footprint.

The material can be used for applications ranging from clothing hangers (replacing polystyrene) to security tags (replacing ABS) and eyewear (replacing acetate). The company directly retails clothes hangers and what it claims is the world’s first eyewear line from recycled textiles via its online store. It also reports it is undertaking R&D to test its plastic in applications such as chairs or suitcase shells.

Kleiderly operates a production location in Italy and also has a returns system in place for items it sells, offering customers a discount on their next purchase. Items that have been returned are recycled into new products using existing machinery and require less energy to recycle, owing to its lower melting point. Kleiderly claims it saves 2.5 kg of CO2e for every kilogram of material produced.

Funding and Financials:

In June 2022, the company raised an undisclosed amount in non-equity assistance in a funding round led by Google for Startups.