Fabric Recycled from PET Bottles Exported to 22 Countries

Fabrics made from yarn produced from PET bottles in Bursa are exported to 22 countries. Hilal Gülseçen, General Manager of a company operating in Bursa: "For the past 4 years we have set sustainability as our vision. Our collection consists of a recycled group made entirely from recycled polyester and natural fiber groups that add value to nature and the environment. Hilal Gülseçen, General Manager of Seçen Tekstil, said "Our products are present in European markets, particularly in Germany, Spain, Poland and England." A textile company from Bursa that purchases yarn obtained through PET bottle recycling and converts it into fabric is preparing sustainable fabric collections for global brands. The company, which designs and manufactures women's clothing woven fabrics, was established in Bursa in 1984 by industrialist and businessman Mehmet Gülseçen. Gülseçen, stating that they currently operate two separate production facilities - a yarn twisting mill and a textile factory - said: "We have an annual fabric production capacity of 2.5 million meters. For the past 4 years we have set sustainability as our vision. Our collection consists of a recycled group made entirely from recycled polyester and natural fiber groups that add value to nature and the environment."

PET bottles transformed into polyester yarn

Gülseçen explained that PET bottles collected from nature are melted in a certain system by a company abroad, then recovered and converted into polyester yarn, which they purchase and transform into fabric in their facilities. Gülseçen, noting that they have certificates called GRS with international validity and that they manufacture according to these standards, said: "Throughout the entire process from when the yarn enters the company to when it leaves as a finished product, the product travels with this certificate. When it becomes a garment - that is, when it transforms from fabric to a dress - it circulates in the world with the GRS certificate we mentioned. There is very strong interest in GRS-certified 100 percent recycled products in our collections." "40 percent of our production goes directly to export" Gülseçen, emphasizing that they increase export figures every year and thus provide added value to Turkey, noted that they believe that in the new world order, the issue is not just production but clean production. Explaining that they continuously research and follow new ways of reducing their carbon footprint and producing sustainable fabrics, and that they think carefully about this subject, Gülseçen made the following assessments: "When it comes to sustainability, yarn brands that have become the standard of the entire world are present in our production portfolio. Thanks to our business partners, our products constantly receive passing grades from world fashion brands in terms of sustainability. Our products are present in European markets, particularly in Germany, Spain, Poland and England. 40 percent of our production goes directly to export. The other 40 percent we supply to exporting companies. Through them, our products reach foreign markets indirectly. 20 percent goes to the domestic market. We are currently exporting to 22 countries."

"Sustainability is essential"

Gülseçen said that with the outbreak of the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19), major ready-to-wear brands have made much more serious demands for these products. Pointing out that while sustainability was previously perceived as a much-used fashion term, the experience of COVID-19 has made it an essential topic on everyone's agenda, Gülseçen stated: "As a company we spent the coronavirus period very seriously with orders and production. The world is moving in this direction. It is not a question of whether to do it or not - it has become a necessity and an obligation."

BURSA (AA) - CEM ŞAN