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Part of: Textile Recycling Market (Global)

The South Korea Textile Recycling Market was valued at $269.8 Million in 2025 and projected to reach to $392.7 Million by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. South Korea's textile recycling market is poised for accelerated growth through 2030, supported by stringent environmental regulations, corporate sustainability commitments, and consumer preference for eco-friendly products.

South Korea Textile Recycling Market (2025-2030) : Size and Share
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South Korea Textile Recycling Market Trends and Insights

  • This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%, outpacing global averages and reflecting South Korea's commitment to circular economy principles and sustainable manufacturing practices.
  • The market expansion is driven by stringent environmental regulations, rising consumer awareness of sustainability, and South Korea's advanced technological capabilities in textile processing and fiber recovery. South Korea's position as a global fashion and textile hub amplifies the significance of its recycling sector.
  • The country's investment in innovative recycling technologies and infrastructure positions South Korea as a regional leader in transforming textile waste into valuable resources.
  • Between 2025 and 2030, South Korea is expected to strengthen its market presence through increased adoption of mechanical and chemical recycling methods, supporting both domestic demand and export opportunities across Asia Pacific..

Key Market Statistics

  • CAGR (2025-2030) 7.8% CAGR
  • Market Size, 2025 ~USD 269.8 Million
  • Forecast, 2030 ~USD 392.7 Million
  • Country South Korea

South Korea Textile Recycling Market Overview

Market Valuation & Growth :

South Korea's textile recycling market is valued at USD 269.8 million in 2025, with a robust CAGR of 7.8% through 2030, significantly outpacing the global growth rate of 7.2%.

Circular Economy Leadership :

South Korea is positioning itself as a regional leader in circular economy adoption, with government policies and corporate initiatives driving investment in textile waste management and sustainable recycling infrastructure.

Projected Market Expansion :

The market is forecasted to reach USD 392.7 million by 2030, representing a 45.6% increase from 2025, driven by regulatory compliance, consumer demand for sustainable fashion, and technological advancements in fiber recovery.

Manufacturing & Export Hub :

As a major textile manufacturing and export nation, South Korea's recycling market benefits from high-volume textile waste streams, creating significant opportunities for collection, processing, and secondary material commercialization.

South Korea Textile Recycling Market Dynamics

  • The nation's advanced manufacturing capabilities and technological expertise position it to develop innovative recycling solutions, including chemical and mechanical fiber recovery processes.
  • Government incentives and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes are expected to further stimulate market expansion.
  • The convergence of fashion industry consolidation, rising raw material costs, and circular economy mandates will drive investment in textile-to-textile recycling infrastructure.
  • South Korea's role as a regional innovation hub will likely attract international partnerships and technology transfer, enhancing market competitiveness and establishing new revenue streams from recycled fiber commercialization..

Related Ecosystem

Fibers And Composites

Top Technologies
  • Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
  • Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
  • Epoxy Resin
  • Polycarbonate
  • Polyester Resin
Top Companies
  • Toray Industries, Inc.
  • Teijin Limited
  • Sgl carbon se
  • Hexcel Corporation
  • Solvay sa

    Yarns Fabric And Textile

    Top Technologies
    • Agrotech
    • Clothtech
    • Indutech
    • Oekotech
    • Packtech
    Top Companies
    • MILLIKEN & COMPANY
    • Toray Industries, Inc.
    • 3M COMPANY
    • DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
    • Kimberly-Clark Corporation

      Key Takeaways

      • South Korea's textile recycling market is valued at USD 269.8 million in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 392.7 million by 2030, representing a 7.8% CAGR.
      • South Korea's advanced technological infrastructure and regulatory framework position it as a regional leader in sustainable textile processing and fiber recovery.
      • Growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion and stringent environmental policies are primary drivers accelerating South Korea's textile recycling market expansion.
      • South Korea's textile recycling sector is expected to leverage mechanical and chemical recycling innovations to capture both domestic and regional export opportunities through 2030.

      Textile Recycling Market Report Scope

      Report Metric Details
      Base Year 2025
      Fastest Growing Segment PRE-CONSUMER WASTE (Textile Waste)
      Forecast Period 2025–2030
      Growth Rate CAGR of 7.2% from 2025 to 2030
      Largest Segment POST-CONSUMER WASTE (Textile Waste)
      Market Size Base Year (Billions) ~USD 8.39 (2025)
      Revenue Forecast (Billions) ~USD 11.88 (2030)
      Segments Covered Material, Textile Waste, Process, Distribution Channel, End-Use Industry

      South Korea Textile Recycling Market Report Segmentation

      5 segment dimensions are covered across the global market.

      By Material

      • Cotton
      • Nylon & Nylon Fibers
      • Other Materials
      • Polyester & Polyester Fibers
      • Wool

      By Textile Waste

      • Post-Consumer Waste
      • Pre-Consumer Waste

      By Process

      • Chemical
      • Mechanical

      By Distribution Channel

      • Online Channel
      • Retail & Departmental Stores

      By End-Use Industry

      • Apparel
      • Home Furnishing
      • Industrial & Institutional
      • Other End-Use Industries

      Target Audience

      • Textile & Fashion Companies : South Korean apparel manufacturers and fashion brands need market data to comply with EPR regulations, source recycled materials, and develop sustainable product lines aligned with circular economy requirements.
      • Recycling & Waste Management Operators : Waste management companies and recycling facilities require detailed market sizing and growth forecasts to justify infrastructure investments, technology upgrades, and expansion into textile-specific processing capabilities.
      • Material & Chemical Suppliers : Suppliers of recycling chemicals, processing equipment, and secondary materials need South Korea-specific demand data to identify market entry opportunities and develop localized product offerings for Korean processors.
      • Government & Policy Makers : South Korean regulatory bodies and environmental agencies use market intelligence to design effective EPR policies, set recycling targets, and allocate resources for sustainable textile industry development.
      • Investors & Private Equity : Investment firms and venture capital seeking exposure to South Korea's circular economy need market valuations, growth projections, and competitive landscape analysis to evaluate portfolio opportunities and exit strategies.

      Key Companies in the South Korea Textile Recycling Market

      CompanyHQOwnershipStrongest segments
      LENZING AGAustriaPublic CompanyCotton-rich recycled blends (textile-to-textile),Polyester & polyester fiber blends,Cellulosic fiber from wood-based and waste inputs,
      HYOSUNG TNC.South KoreaPublic CompanyRecycled polyester & polyester fibers,Recycled nylon & nylon fibers,Recycled cotton and blends,
      UNIFI, INC.United StatesPublic CompanyPolyester & Polyester Fibers (Repreve and related rPET yarns),Nylon & Nylon Fibers (recycled nylon yarns),Cotton and Cotton Blends (recycled content programs),
      LEIGH FIBERSUnited StatesPrivate CompanyCotton-based recycled fibers,Polyester & polyester fiber recycling,Wool and specialty fibers,
      MARTEX FIBERUnited StatesPrivate CompanyCotton and cotton-rich recycled fibers,Polyester & polyester fiber recycling,Wiping products and converted nonwovens,

      LENZING AG

      Lenzing AG is an Austrian textile fiber manufacturer founded in 1892 that operates as a public company with 7,589 employees. The company specializes in producing cellulose-based fibers for the textile industry.

      HYOSUNG TNC.

      Hyosung TNC is a South Korean public company founded in 1957 with 1,203 employees, operating in the textile and chemical fiber sectors.

      UNIFI, INC.

      Unifi, Inc. is a United States-based public company founded in 1971 that produces synthetic and recycled fibers for the textile industry.

      LEIGH FIBERS

      Leigh Fibers is a United States-based private company founded in 1922 that manufactures textile fibers.

      MARTEX FIBER

      Martex Fiber is a United States-based private company founded in 1975 that produces textile fibers.

      Reasons to Buy this Report

      • Market-Specific Growth Intelligence : Gain detailed insights into South Korea's 7.8% CAGR trajectory, understanding regional drivers that outpace global averages and identifying high-growth segments within the Korean textile recycling ecosystem.
      • Regulatory & Policy Landscape : Access comprehensive analysis of South Korean government policies, EPR mandates, and sustainability regulations shaping the market, enabling compliant business strategy and competitive positioning.
      • Investment & Partnership Opportunities : Identify key stakeholders, technology providers, and investment targets within South Korea's textile recycling sector, with market sizing data to support M&A, joint ventures, and capacity expansion decisions.
      • Competitive Benchmarking : Understand South Korea's market dynamics relative to global competitors, including local player strategies, technology adoption rates, and differentiation opportunities in fiber recovery and material innovation.
      • Demand Forecasting & Planning : Leverage 2025-2030 projections (USD 269.8M to USD 392.7M) for supply chain planning, capacity investment decisions, and revenue forecasting specific to the South Korean market context.

      Frequently asked questions

      What is the current size of South Korea's textile recycling market?

      South Korea's textile recycling market is valued at USD 269.8 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 392.7 million by 2030.

      What is the expected growth rate for South Korea's textile recycling market?

      South Korea's textile recycling market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2025 to 2030.

      What factors are driving growth in South Korea's textile recycling market?

      Key drivers include stringent environmental regulations, rising consumer awareness of sustainability, advanced technological capabilities, and South Korea's position as a global fashion hub.

      Which recycling technologies are gaining traction in South Korea?

      Both mechanical and chemical recycling methods are gaining adoption in South Korea, supported by significant investments in innovative processing infrastructure.

      How does South Korea's textile recycling market compare regionally?

      South Korea's 7.8% CAGR outpaces the global average of 7.2%, positioning the country as a regional leader in Asia Pacific's textile recycling sector.

      RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

      The study involves two major activities in estimating the current market size for the textile recycling market. Exhaustive secondary research was done to collect information on the market, peer, and parent markets. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the complete market size. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation were used to estimate the market size of segments and subsegments.

      Secondary Research

      Secondary sources for this research study include financial statements of companies offering textile recycling and information from various trade, business, and professional associations. Secondary research has been used to obtain critical information about the industry’s value chain, the pool of key players, market classification, and segmentation according to industry trends to the bottom-most level and regional markets. The secondary data was collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall size of the textile recycling market, which was validated by primary respondents.

      Primary Research

      Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information regarding the textile recycling market scenario through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both the demand and supply sides across major countries of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews. The primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as Chief X Officers (CXOs), Vice Presidents (VPs), Directors from business development, marketing, product development/innovation teams, and related key executives from textile recycling industry vendors; material providers; distributors; and key opinion leaders. Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data on revenue collected from the products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped in understanding the various trends related to material, textile waste, process, distribution channel, end-use industry, and region. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as CIOs, CTOs, CSOs, and installation teams of the customer/end users who are seeking textile recycling services, were interviewed to understand the buyer’s perspective on the suppliers, products, component providers, and their current usage of textile recycling and future outlook of their business which will affect the overall market.

      The Breakup of Primary Research:

      Textile Recycling Market

      To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure

      Market Size Estimation

      The research methodology used to estimate the size of the textile recycling market includes the following details. The market sizing was undertaken from the demand side. The market was upsized based on the demand for textile recycling in different end-use industries at a regional level. Such procurements provide information on the demand aspects of the textile recycling industry for each end-use industry. For each end-use industry, all possible segments of the textile recycling market were integrated and mapped.

      Textile Recycling Market

      Data Triangulation

      After determining the overall size from the market size estimation process outlined above, the total market was divided into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown methods described below were used, where applicable, to complete the overall market analysis and determine precise statistics for various market segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by examining various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Additionally, the market size was validated using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.

      Market Definition

      Textile recycling is the process of recovering fibers, fabrics, and finished garments from post-industrial or post-consumer textile waste and reprocessing them into usable raw materials for new products. This includes mechanical recycling (e.g., shredding into fibers), chemical recycling (breaking down fibers at the molecular level), and reuse of textiles in their original form. The primary goal is to reduce landfill waste, minimize environmental impact, and promote a circular economy by extending the life cycle of textile materials through sustainable recovery and reintegration into the production chain.

      Stakeholders

      • Textile Recycling Manufacturers
      • Textile Recycling Distributors and Suppliers
      • End-use Industries
      • Universities, Governments, and Research Organizations
      • Associations and Industrial Bodies
      • R&D Institutes
      • Environmental Support Agencies
      • Investment Banks and Private Equity Firms
      • Research and Consulting Firms

      Report Objectives

      • To define, describe, and forecast the textile recycling market size in terms of volume and value
      • To provide detailed information regarding the key factors, such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing market growth
      • To analyze and project the global textile recycling market, by material, textile waste, process, distribution channel, end-use industry, and region
      • To forecast the market size in five main regions (along with country-level data), namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America, and analyze the significant region-specific trends
      • To strategically analyze micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions of the submarkets to the overall market
      • To analyze the market opportunities and the competitive landscape for stakeholders and market leaders
      • To assess recent market developments and competitive strategies, such as agreements, contracts, acquisitions, and new product developments/new product launches, to draw the competitive landscape
      • To strategically profile the key market players and comprehensively analyze their core competencies

       

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