Fashion continues to struggle with the massive volume of textile waste produced each year. Ambercycle is attempting to reshape this reality by building a circular ecosystem that transforms discarded clothing into regenerated polyester. The company presented its vision at the Los Angeles Sustainability Summit where its leaders spoke about the need for collaboration and long term commitment.
The Journey Behind Cycora
Ambercycle’s signature material Cycora is made through a molecular regeneration process that converts end of life textiles into new fibers. The idea began with two students at the University of California at Davis and has now grown into a next generation operation producing material at a demonstration site in Wisconsin. The company is preparing its first commercial scale facility and has signed agreements with global brands including Ganni Reformation and REI.
Why Partnerships Matter
Chief executive officer Shay Sethi emphasized that innovation is rarely a straight line. For Ambercycle the most successful collaborations come from partners who understand that circularity is a long journey. REI plays a central role in this strategy because it serves both as a retailer and a marketplace for many brands that share a similar focus on sustainability. According to Sethi the company offers the perfect environment to educate consumers about circular materials.
Building a Global Supply Chain
Creating a global system for a new fiber is a complex challenge. More than one hundred billion garments end up in landfills each year and Ambercycle sees this as the core problem to solve. Scaling production and creating a stable supply chain are essential steps toward what Sethi calls a balanced vision for the future. The work involves navigating an increasingly divided world where consumption and production often sit far apart.
Collaboration Over Competition
Ambercycle views the future of polyester as a shared opportunity. The market for the fiber totals one hundred million tons each year so the priority is to replace virgin material rather than compete with other innovators. The company welcomes collaboration and regularly exchanges knowledge with its peers in order to accelerate progress across the entire sector.
Policy and the Road Ahead
Ambercycle and other next generation material companies are working with policymakers particularly in the European Union to build supportive regulations for circular textiles. Sethi pointed to the tension between Western markets and Asian production hubs as a major obstacle but also noted that progress will only happen if countries cooperate. Equity in production regions is an essential part of the long term solution.
Encouraging Signs for the Future
Despite challenges Ambercycle sees positive momentum. Brands across Europe the United States and Asia continue to embrace circularity driven by new regulations and the need to stand out in competitive markets. Sethi believes the goal remains unchanged even if the timeline is long. The company is prepared for a process that may take decades but sees no alternative to the work.
The Power of Alignment
Ambercycle chooses partners who share its commitment to the end goal. When values match and the long term vision is understood collaboration becomes easier. For the company each new partnership brings the industry one step closer to making circular textiles a global reality.
