REI Partners with Ambercycle to Scale Regenerated Polyester Production

In a major step toward a more sustainable future for outdoor gear, REI Co-op, the largest consumer cooperative in the U.S., has entered into a three-year agreement with Ambercycle, a leader in molecular regeneration, to scale up production of Cycora®, a regenerated polyester material. According to the companies, this partnership will advance REI’s mission of providing high-performance outdoor products while reducing waste and environmental impact.

The collaboration comes amid growing concern over the environmental impact of the fashion industry. As reported by REI, the global fashion industry generates more than 92 million tons of textile waste each year, much of which ends up in landfills or is incinerated—significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Polyester, a key material in outdoor apparel, accounts for about 57% of global fiber production, with most of it still derived from fossil fuels. The collaboration aims to address these challenges by advancing recycled polyester use in outdoor gear, helping reduce the industry’s overall carbon footprint.

REI, known for its Co-op brand products such as the Magma Sleeping Bag, XeroCloud Rain Jacket, and Road Tripper Duffel Bag, is well positioned to lead sustainable material innovation in the outdoor sector. The company plans to integrate Cycora® into future product lines, setting a new benchmark for eco-conscious design.

The company said that since 2020, it has made notable progress in increasing the amount of recycled polyester in its products, having increased the percentage fivefold. According to the company, as of 2024, over 50 percent of the polyester used in REI Co-op brand products came from recycled sources. This new partnership with Ambercycle, as reported, will further strengthen REI’s commitment to sustainability by helping “close the loop” on textile waste, converting discarded textiles into new, high-quality products.

In a statement about the agreement, Ajay Chadha, Director of Materials Innovation at REI Co-op Brands, stated, “Next-generation materials as critical to building a decarbonized future for outdoor gear. As we work toward our 2030 goals, REI Co-op Brands is investing in science-driven solutions like textile-to-textile recycling to cut emissions at the feedstock level and reduce reliance on virgin polyester.”

Shay Sethi, CEO and co-founder of Ambercycle, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “REI’s influence extends far beyond its own brand — as a co-op, it brings together a thousand outdoor brands and millions of members under one vision. By integrating cycora®, REI is helping to set a new standard for the entire outdoor industry, proving that high-performance gear and circular systems can go hand in hand.”

Industry analysts note that consumer demand for sustainable outdoor products, coupled with regulatory pressures for low-carbon practices, is driving such initiatives. REI’s collaboration with Ambercycle is expected not only to meet its own sustainability targets but also to inspire other outdoor brands to explore circular materials.

Ambercycle is scaling its molecular regeneration technology to reclaim end-of-life textiles and reincorporate them into fabric supply chains, signaling a shift toward a low-carbon, circular textile economy. The partnership exemplifies how innovative materials can align environmental stewardship with product performance—a growing priority in the outdoor industry.

Source: REI Co-op

SUNSHINE Spotlight: REI’s new partnership with Ambercycle turns textile waste into opportunity, pushing the outdoor industry closer to true circularity.