Empowering SMEs to create diverse products from recycled PET for a sustainable future

Originally launched in 2011 as the RECO Young Designer Competition, the RECO Collective has grown from its fashion-focused beginnings into a collaborative platform for designers in furniture, home décor, and lifestyle products. By integrating recycled PET into a wider array of products, the RECO Collective emphasizes innovative design concepts that harness recycled materials to deliver business value and long-term sustainability. It reflects Indorama Ventures’ vision of raising awareness about the value of recycled materials and promoting the circular economy as a new industry standard, creating a better future through transformative collaboration.

Now in its second year, RECO Collective has broadened its scope to engage new audiences, including new-generation SMEs interested in using recycled materials in their design and production processes. Building on its successful first year, which involved collaborations with eco-conscious fashion brands to bring products to retail spaces such as Ecotopia and Dapper, the second year introduces key activities including:

RECO Incubation Lab: A knowledge-sharing platform offering in-depth expertise from industry professionals. Designers and SMEs will learn strategies for sustainable branding, from sourcing eco-friendly materials to sales and marketing techniques.

Partnership Building: Collaborations with retailers and industry experts, including Thai Taffeta, supplier of recycled PET fabrics for use in products, together with Jaspal Group, a regional leader in lifestyle fashion who is joining RECO Collective as a partner for the first time, as well as Ecotopia and Dapper who will provide guidance on sustainability-focused business practices and support eco-friendly product distribution to consumers. Such collaborations amplify the impact of the RECO Collective, extending its reach across diverse industries.

Product Readiness: The project offers expert advice and guidance on launching sustainable collections to six SME entrepreneurs. This year’s highlights include collections from fashion design brands such as tISI, Endless Holiday, and KH Editions, to product design brands such as Mobella, Anew.Craft, and Daybreak.