Gap Inc. & Ambercycle Announce Efforts to Advance Textile-to-Textile Recycling

Rhea-AI Summary

Gap Inc. and Ambercycle partner to introduce textile-to-textile recycled materials in Athleta products. Athleta plans to be the first performance apparel brand to use Ambercycle's cycora® regenerated polyester at scale starting in 2026. The collaboration aims to reduce environmental footprint, drive circular fashion movement, and deliver innovative, high-quality garments.

Sustainability Analyst

Gap Inc.'s partnership with Ambercycle to incorporate cycora® regenerated polyester into Athleta's product line marks a significant step in the apparel industry's shift towards sustainability. This move aligns with increasing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products and reflects a broader trend where companies integrate sustainability into their core business strategy.

From a sustainability perspective, the use of textile-to-textile recycled materials like cycora® can reduce the dependency on virgin resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the industry's overall environmental footprint. The potential reduction in landfill usage and incineration of end-of-life textiles presents a compelling case for other brands to consider similar sustainable practices.

However, the transition to sustainable materials often involves upfront costs and complex supply chain adjustments. It's crucial for Gap Inc. to manage these changes without compromising product quality or significantly increasing costs for consumers, as this could affect market competitiveness and profitability.

Market Research Analyst

The strategic decision by Athleta to use cycora® at scale by 2026 could provide a competitive advantage in the performance apparel sector. Given Athleta's position as a Certified B Corporation, this initiative is likely to resonate well with its target demographic, which increasingly values corporate responsibility.

Consumer trends show a growing preference for brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Athleta's commitment to inclusivity and quality, combined with its sustainable initiatives, may enhance brand loyalty and attract new customers. However, it's essential to monitor consumer response to ensure that the perceived value of sustainable materials justifies any potential price premium.

Market reception to these products will be telling of the viability of large-scale sustainable practices in the apparel industry. Success could encourage more brands to invest in similar technologies, potentially leading to industry-wide changes and new standards for sustainable production.

Financial Analyst

Investors will be closely monitoring the financial implications of Gap Inc.'s move towards sustainable materials. The initial investment in Ambercycle's technology and the shift to cycora® could impact short-term margins due to potential higher costs associated with sustainable material sourcing and production.

In the long term, however, this strategic partnership might lead to operational efficiencies and cost savings from reduced waste and a more streamlined supply chain. If Gap Inc. can capitalize on the growing market for sustainable apparel, it may see an increase in sales and customer loyalty, which could positively affect the stock performance.

Analyzing competitors' responses and consumer adoption rates will be crucial in forecasting the long-term financial health of Gap Inc. as it pioneers the use of cycora® in performance apparel. The ability to balance sustainability with profitability will be a key determinant in the success of this initiative.

LOS ANGELES and SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and Ambercycle today announced efforts to leverage textile-to-textile recycled materials in Athleta products. Ambercycle's cycora® regenerated polyester is a high-performance material created from end-of-life textiles that seamlessly replaces conventional polyester. Starting in 2026, Athleta – a Certified B Corporation – plans to become the first performance apparel brand to use cycora® at scale.  

Athleta CEO, Chris Blakeslee added, "As a mission-driven, B Corp-certified brand, Athleta is committed to reducing our environmental footprint by using recycled materials like cycora®, which not only aligns with our values but also meets our uncompromising quality standards."  

Athleta's versatile apparel assortment is designed for women by women, with inclusivity at its core. Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to support women across their entire lifestyle—from yoga and training to travel and recovery.   

"As the demand for circular materials rises, we are delighted to collaborate with like-minded brands in the performance sector, such as Athleta. Together, we are not only creating high-quality garments but also driving forward the circular fashion movement," said Shay Sethi, CEO of Ambercycle. 

"Gap Inc. is committed to evolving our supply chain and product development process in ways that help us deliver innovative products for our customers while reducing our environmental footprint," added Dan Fibiger, Head of Global Sustainability at Gap Inc.  

Ambercycle's proprietary molecular regeneration technology uses discarded polyester as feedstock in the production of cycora®, a high-performance material designed to reproduce the quality of virgin-grade polyester, while reducing industry greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on landfilling or incinerating end-of-life textiles. The news demonstrates growing demand for circular materials made from textile-to-textile regeneration.  

Fibiger continued, "Ambercycle's groundbreaking technology for transforming end-of-life textiles into new materials not only enables a more sustainable supply of high-performance fabrics, but it has the potential to cut waste and emissions and has the potential to advance circularity at scale."  

About Gap Inc. 
Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2022 net sales were $15.6 billion. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com. 

About Athleta:
A certified B Corporation, Athleta is a premium performance lifestyle brand with a purpose of inspiring and empowering women and girls to find confidence, strength, and wellbeing through movement. Athleta's versatile performance apparel is designed for women by women, with inclusivity at its core. Founded in 1998, Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to support women across their entire lifestyle—from yoga and training to travel and recovery. In 2016, the company launched Athleta Girl mirroring its signature performance in styles for the next generation. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE: GPS), Athleta apparel is available at its more than 250 retail stores across the United States and Canada and at Athleta.com.

About Ambercycle
Ambercycle is powering circularity in fashion. Established in 2015, this Los Angeles-based company is revolutionizing the fashion industry with its award-winning molecular regeneration technology. cycora® regenerated polyester is the company's first premium material solution made from end-of-life textiles. Driven by the vision to improve humanity's relationship with materials, Ambercycle is minimizing the impact of raw material extraction on our environment and paving the way to decarbonize fashion.  

Media contacts: 
press@gap.com  
press@ambercycle.com  

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SOURCE Ambercycle

What is the partnership between Gap Inc. and Ambercycle about?

The partnership aims to introduce textile-to-textile recycled materials in Athleta products using Ambercycle's cycora® regenerated polyester.

When will Athleta start using cycora® at scale?

Athleta plans to start using cycora® at scale in 2026.

What is the goal of the collaboration between Athleta and Ambercycle?

The goal is to reduce environmental footprint, drive the circular fashion movement, and deliver innovative, high-quality garments.

What is Ambercycle's cycora® regenerated polyester made from?

Cycora® is created from end-of-life textiles and replaces conventional polyester.

Why is Athleta committed to using recycled materials like cycora®?

Athleta is committed to reducing environmental footprint and aligning with its values and quality standards.