Inaugural event addresses pressing topic facing U.S. textiles.
Textile World Special Report
Event organizer Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI) launched the Textiles Recycling Expo in Brussels, Belgium in 2025, as its first event focused on textile waste, leveraging its long experience in plastics recycling.
Building on the momentum that began in Brussels, the Charlotte Convention Center recently hosted the U.S. inaugural edition.
With 1,858 visitors, 95 exhibitors, and 52 speakers, the inaugural event was met with a diverse group of attendees and visitors engaged in finding connections and information on one of the most popular topics facing U.S. textiles — recycling.
“As organizer of the inaugural Textiles Recycling Expo USA, it was incredible to see the event come to life in Charlotte, with packed sessions, a busy show floor and real momentum across the industry,” commented Isobel Ree, Marketing Manager — Textiles Recycling Expo Portfolio, AMI.
“The quality of conversations and diversity of attendees showed just how committed the sector is to advancing textile circularity.
“It was a proud moment to see the industry come together on one platform, reinforcing just how essential collaboration will be moving forward.”
Opinion From The Floor
Speaker and exhibitor Meredith Boyd, EVP, Chief Product Officer, Greensboro, N.C.-based UNIFI, Inc., shared her views on the Expo: “We were very pleased with the Textiles Recycling Expo in Charlotte to have the opportunity to exhibit and showcase our newest textile-to-textile, circular innovations: REPREVE Takeback™ and ThermaLoop™ insulation.
Long-time industry veteran Ludovic Pitrois, North America Sales Director, FIMIC, commented, “Having spent the last six years in the plastics industry after a career in textiles, attending this inaugural U.S. edition was a particularly insightful experience.
“What surprised me most was the breadth of the technical discussions. I had anticipated a heavy focus on PET, but the curiosity extended across the entire polymer spectrum, including PA, PP and PE.
“Seeing that level of diversification in recycling interest was a very welcome surprise.”
Jessica Franken, Vice President, Government & External Affairs, Alexandria, Va.-based Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) made the first presentation on the agenda, stated, “It was a very positive and well-executed event; easy to navigate and a great platform to spotlight this rapidly growing area while bringing together a diverse mix of stakeholders across the value chain. The energy was palpable, with strong engagement between traditional textile players and those focused on reuse and recycling.”
Hardy Sullivan, Managing Director, Thies US, LLC, remarked, “Visitors included many people and companies new to me along with representatives based in the region. Awareness of the U.S.’ 17+ million tons per year of textile “waste” is growing, along with state-by-state regulatory initiatives. The Expo showed us that many companies want to either promote their approach or figure out what role to play.”
Adding some perspective, Sullivan added, “In my view, textile recycling is feasible, today, and if done right, it equates to strengthened domestic manufacturing. By turning “waste” into raw materials regionally, as opposed to shipping all used textiles offshore, means we will have raw materials for use by domestic sources, be it in textiles or other industries.
“I believe in the “All of the Above” strategy to recycling. “
Based on the industry’s positive reaction, the next edition of the Textile Recycling Expo USA will return to Charlotte, N.C. on April 7–8, 2027.
2026 Quarterly Issue II
