2024.02.21

What is the Project 'BIOTECHWORKS-H2' that Converts Clothing Waste into Hydrogen?

Yamagin, Inc.'s subsidiary, BIOTECHWORKS-H2, is working on the 'BIOTECHWORKS-H2' initiative, which aims to convert most waste into renewable energy and establish a circular economy.

The company announced that, as its very first project, it would launch the 'Environmental Contribution Display Service – REBORN by BIOTECHWORKS-H2' from April this year, making visible the amount of CO2 reduction at the product collection stage, before products are even sold.

We spoke with Akihide Nishikawa, the company representative, about the outline of the 'BIOTECHWORKS-H2' initiative, the environmental contribution display service, and future developments.

Aiming for a 'Circular Economy without Gray Areas'

First, could you tell us about your company?

Founded in 2000, Yamagin, Inc. is a company that deals with ODM & OEM of garments, development of fabric, and so on. From 2012, before the term SDGs was common, we started our work on recycled materials, including recycled cotton and recycled nylon.

In 2023, the 'ZERO-TEX Bi-Colour Over-Shirt' developed by the company using its own 'ZERO-TEX' won the 'ISPO Textrends Award Top Products' at the ISPO, Europe's largest sportswear exhibition.

Along with these efforts, our subsidiary, BIOTECHWORKS, is pursuing a circular economy without gray areas. In Europe, there is increasing attention on promoting genuine sustainability, including strengthened regulations on greenwashing. In this context, I wanted to build a truly carbon neutral business.

More specifically, we are working on a project to convert discarded clothing into hydrogen and turn it into renewable energy. Ultimately, we aim to turn all waste, not just clothes, into renewable energy and use it as fuel.

Hydrogenation of Discarded Clothing Without Burning

Could you tell us how the system works to hydrogenate discarded clothing?

First, we collect discarded clothing from companies and individuals and have it sent to our warehouse. We then accurately measure the amount of discarded clothing, hydrogenate it, and convert it to renewable energy. We also quantify how much CO2 reduction was achieved by this collection. Providing this data as solid evidence forms part of the entire cycle.

The mechanism of the plant that hydrogenates discarded clothing is characterized by the fact that it 'does not burn'. One of the current challenges of waste handling is that burning releases a large amount of CO2. Therefore, our plant can, by undergoing 'next-generation gasification', reduce CO2 by about 80% compared to burning. Also, accessories like buttons on clothing can be treated as they are in the plant.

In addition, all CO2 emitted can be captured and sold. In this way, we aim to achieve a circular economy without waste and realization of regeneration (renewal), which is our project.

We are currently contracting with a plant company in America, using a 15-meter tall prototype plant in California for our proof of concept. We plan to build a full-scale plant in Malaysia between the end of this year and the start of next. We are also aiming to operate in Japan by 2026.