Activewear and gym apparel
Single jersey, interlock, or mesh may suit a brief. Specify stretch, recovery, and moisture performance, and request relevant test results.
Material sourcing and specification
Recycled Polyester Fabric Sourcing & rPET Textile Engineering
Recycled polyester, commonly called rPET, is made from recycled PET rather than virgin feedstock. The source material and conversion route vary, so the named supplier's records matter for the material being considered.
Fenalt may coordinate sourcing and production to a buyer's requirements. Define the recycled-content claim, construction, finish, and performance needs, then agree supplier records, samples, tests, inspection scope, and order terms for that supply chain.
Material definition
Origin is only one part of the specification
Ask which recycling process and feedstock produced the proposed material. In PET sourcing, thermomechanical recycling commonly sorts, cleans, reduces in size, and remelts the polymer. That route differs from mechanically opening textile waste into fibers without remelting. Chemical recycling also covers multiple technologies; the comparison below describes PET depolymerization routes, not every process sold under that label.
Recycled origin alone does not establish strength, abrasion, dimensional, or color performance. Fiber identity does not guarantee finished-fabric moisture management either: wicking, liquid moisture handling, and drying depend on blend, yarn, construction, finish, and test conditions. Evaluate representative yarn and finished-fabric samples against end-use needs.
Recycling-route comparison
Ask what happened to the PET
The route label is not a yarn or fabric specification. Feedstock acceptance, process steps, and resulting material controls vary by supplier and technology.
| Buyer question | Thermomechanical PET recycling | PET depolymerization and repolymerization |
|---|---|---|
| What enters? | Sorted compatible PET feedstock can include bottles or suitable textile streams. Mixed polymers, contamination, and color can constrain usable inputs. | PET-containing inputs are prepared for a specific chemical route. Blends and finishes may need separation or pretreatment; acceptance is technology-specific. |
| What happens? | Cleaned, reduced-size PET is melted and processed into recycled polymer feedstock that can later be spun into fiber or filament. The polymer is not intentionally broken into monomer building blocks. | PET is broken into smaller chemical intermediates, then purified and rebuilt into polymer for later fiber production. Intermediates and operations vary by route. |
| What matters for fiber sourcing? | Input consistency, polymer properties, color, filtration, and processing history affect the material available to the spinner. Heat and shear can change polymer properties, so later processing and quality controls matter. | Purification can address some input contaminants and colors, but the route still needs a defined input specification and controlled output. The label alone does not establish yarn or fabric specifications. |
| What are the trade-offs? | Feedstock compatibility and retained color or additives can constrain outputs. Verify the actual material specification rather than treating all mechanically recycled PET as one grade. | Sorting, separation, reaction, purification, and supply arrangements differ by technology. Do not assume all mixed textiles are accepted, repeated recycling is unlimited, or quality and environmental performance are automatically superior. |
Scroll horizontally to compare the columns.
This is a process comparison, not a ranking of virgin and recycled material or of recycling routes. Assess environmental comparisons only against evidence with comparable products, system boundaries, and assumptions.
For a proposed supply chain, ask for the named recycler and process, feedstock origin including bottle versus textile and pre- versus post-consumer content, recycled percentage, relevant polymer and yarn specifications, proposed mill and construction, representative samples and test results, and order availability and traceability.
Fabric applications
Choose construction around the garment
rPET may be considered across knit and woven apparel. The suitable construction and finish depend on the brief and the performance evidence required.
Athletic and casual fleece
Brushed loopback, micro-fleece, or polar-fleece can be considered; select hand and assess thermal needs for the proposed fabric.
Outerwear shells
Ripstop, taffeta, or twill wovens may be considered. Specify whether coating or lamination is required and evaluate the complete assembly.
Polos, linings, and pocket bags
Micro-pique or bird-eye can be reviewed for polos. Plain-weave taffeta may suit linings; 190T–210T is an illustrative range, not a universal specification.
Swimwear and boardshorts
Wovens or stretch knits may be considered. Specify stretch and recovery separately from chlorine or saltwater exposure performance, then assess the proposed fabric against relevant requirements.
Knit and woven structures
Circular knits include single jersey, interlock, pique, and brushed fleece. Wovens include taffeta, ripstop, twill, Oxford, and canvas. Select the construction to fit the garment and its end use.
Blend choices
Buyer-selected rPET/spandex examples include 85/15 and 80/20; rPET/organic cotton examples include 60/40 and 50/50. Confirm composition, recovery, and performance against the mill swatch and specification.
Technical specification
Compare illustrative constructions and yarns
These configurations are examples, not universal mill specifications. Confirm yarn counts, blends, and weights against supplier swatches and the approved tech pack or sourcing brief.
| Fabric category | Structure | Yarn example | Illustrative weight | Example application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activewear jersey | Single jersey | 75D/72F or 50D/48F microfiber | 130–160 GSM | Running tees, training tops, athletic baselayers |
| Performance interlock | Double-knit interlock | 75D/72F DTY + 30D spandex | 220–280 GSM | Leggings, compression shorts, athletic bras |
| Sport pique | Honeycomb tuck pique | 100D/96F or 75D/72F | 180–220 GSM | Golf polos, tennis apparel, teamwear |
| Technical fleece | Three-thread brushed fleece | 30s/1 cotton face + 150D rPET loop | 300–400 GSM | Heavy hoodies, joggers, streetwear fleece |
| Outerwear ripstop | 5mm grid plain weave | 50D × 50D high-tenacity | 70–110 GSM | Packable windbreakers and down-jacket shells |
| Durable canvas | Heavy plain or duck weave | 300D × 300D or 600D × 600D | 260–420 GSM | Structured work jackets, utility bags, backpacks |
Scroll horizontally to compare the columns.
Dyeing and finishing
Specify the finished fabric, not only the fiber
Process proposals must suit the polyester type, blend, previous coloration, construction, and finish. Confirm the route with the supplier and evaluate the finished fabric against order requirements.
Disperse dyeing
Polyester is commonly colored with disperse dyes. Confirm the mill's actual dyeing system and assess shade, dimensional change, and stretch or recovery where relevant. Do not extend a dye-class description to every modified polyester or blended fabric.
Heat-setting
Stenter framing, heat-setting, and other thermal processing are material-specific proposals, not universal steps or guarantees. Confirm the proposed process and assess the finished fabric.
Moisture management
A hydrophilic finish may be proposed for a moisture-performance brief. Define the required function and verify the finished fabric using selected tests.
Water repellency and antimicrobial claims
A DWR finish may be requested for woven outerwear. Make a PFC-free claim only with appropriate formulation or product-specific documentation, and confirm availability for the selected fabric. For antimicrobial or odor finishes, specify function, durability, test evidence, and destination-market records. An antibacterial result alone does not establish odor control or a health benefit.
Traceability and claims
Match the documentation to the claim
Recycled-content records support defined content and traceability claims within their scope. They do not by themselves establish fabric performance, a recycling route's superiority, or Fenalt-wide certification.
Voluntary standards
If a certified claim is required, name the standard and claim scope. Check the current version, audience, buyer or label context, threshold, and permitted wording for the proposed supply chain.
- GRS V5
- 20% B2B and 50% consumer-facing thresholds; confirm the applicable audience and claim requirements.
- RCS V3
- At least 5%; confirm the applicable claim rules.
Both are voluntary standards. A partner certificate does not certify Fenalt.
Facility scope and transaction evidence
Scope Certificate (SC)
Check the facility's certified scope, site, product scope, validity dates, and permitted claims. It does not by itself substantiate every product or shipment.
Transaction Certificate (TC)
Evidence for a specific certified transaction or shipment. For a buyer-selected GRS/RCS chain-of-custody claim, verify the responsible organization, shipment records, standard version, threshold, and permitted wording.
A TC is issued through the certification chain when the shipment and supporting records are available. Do not promise issuance before dispatch. A shipment-specific TC is not required for every lawful recycled-content statement.
Product-specific certification
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 assesses the listed product against criteria for its product class. It does not establish blanket REACH compliance; assess regulatory chemical compliance separately.
Quality and testing
Test the property the buyer actually needs
Agree the production and inspection scope for the proposed supply chain. Distinguish yarn or filament results from finished-fabric and garment performance.
Shade and lighting
Compare production-roll shade with the approved color standard. Use instrumental color measurement such as Delta E analysis or calibrated visual light cabinets under D65 and retail lighting where specified.
Strength and wear
Separate yarn or filament strength from finished-fabric tensile, burst, tear, seam, abrasion, and pilling assessments. Request tests relevant to construction and intended garment; a yarn result does not establish finished seam or fabric performance.
Pilling method
Name the test method and edition, specimen and conditioning requirements, and buyer acceptance level in the tech pack. ISO 12945-1:2020 is a pilling-box method; there is no universal pass threshold.
Dimensions and finished goods
Evaluate residual shrinkage under standard laundering protocols with target tolerances set at sample sign-off. If finished garments are made, agree inspection stage, sample plan, defect definitions, and acceptance criteria. Record the edition and parameters of any selected AQL; it is not a promised defect rate.
Buyer RFQ
Make the sourcing request specific
These details help a supplier prepare a scoped quotation. Confirm tests, records, and terms for the proposed supply chain.
- Construction: Knit type such as single jersey, interlock, fleece, or pique; or woven type such as ripstop, twill, and taffeta.
- Composition: 100% rPET or the exact blend ratio, such as 88% rPET / 12% spandex.
- Weight: Target GSM and acceptable tolerance, for example 180 GSM ± 5%.
- Yarn: Denier, filament count such as 75D/72F, spun count such as 30s/1, and texturing such as DTY or FDY.
- Claim and records: Recycled-content claim, GRS/RCS chain-of-custody requirement, facility scope, applicable version, threshold, shipment records, and permitted wording. A TC is not needed for every recycled-content claim.
- Color: Pantone TCX reference or physical master swatch for lab-dip matching.
- Performance: Any wicking, DWR, brushed-back, anti-static, or antimicrobial function, with test evidence and claim requirements.
- Volume and delivery: Target quantity, shipment method, agreed Incoterm, named place or port, and allocation of charges and responsibilities in the quotation.
Sourcing workflow
Keep each approval tied to the material
The activities below are proposed for agreement on the order, not universal included services.
Define the request
Share the claim, feedstock and route requirements, construction, blend, color, finish, performance, volume, and delivery needs.
Identify the proposed supply chain
Confirm supplier, recycler, facility, feedstock, process, available construction, color, finish, and relevant records.
Review samples and tests
Agree sample scope, performance tests, inspection activities, required documentation, and schedule.
Confirm order terms
Agree quotation, production and inspection scope, Incoterm, named place or port, and allocation of shipment responsibilities.
Questions and answers
Recycled polyester sourcing FAQs
Does recycled polyester automatically match virgin polyester performance?
Recycled origin alone does not establish whether a material meets strength, abrasion, dimensional, or color-performance requirements. Evaluate the proposed yarn and finished fabric against the same relevant end-use criteria, using representative samples and appropriate tests.
Can recycled polyester achieve bright neon or white colorways?
Color results depend on the specific feedstock and supplier process. For white, pastel, or bright shades, review a lab dip or other sample where available and confirm sample availability, review conditions, and any required treatment for the selected fabric.
What recycled-content documentation should a buyer request?
Specify the recycled-content claim and documentation needed for the proposed supply chain. Check the supplier and facility scope, applicable standard and claim wording, and any relevant shipment records. A certificate does not by itself establish fabric performance or Fenalt-wide certification.
Next step
Source the material against the claim you need to make
Share your construction, performance brief, recycled-content claim, and documentation needs for a scoped sourcing discussion.