This Fabric-to-Yarn Innovation is the Future of Filipino Fashion
Fashion’s biggest waste problem is being unraveled—TexRev’s fabric-to-yarn innovation is redefining sustainability in Filipino fashion, one thread at a time
Words Mika Reyes
Photos courtesy of Philippine Textile Research Institute
March 9, 2025
Trends currently move at the speed of a TikTok scroll, fashion’s dirty secret remains static—its staggering waste problem. But in the Philippines, a game-changing innovation is proving that sustainability is the future. TexRev, a revolutionary ‘Fabric-to-Yarn’ initiative led by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) in collaboration with Bayo Manila. Their mission? To take post-industrial textile waste and transform it into high-quality yarns, proving that the future of Filipino fashion is not just stylish but circular.
The Fast Fashion Fallout
The numbers don’t lie—textile production has nearly doubled over the past two decades, with global output reaching a staggering 109 million tons in 2020. Closer to home, the Philippines spent nearly ₱232 billion on clothing and footwear in 2023 alone, a figure that underscores not only the nation’s love for fashion but also the mounting textile waste crisis. With the fashion industry contributing up to 8% of global carbon emissions, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent.
Bayo Manila, a proudly homegrown brand, generates around 16 tons of textile waste annually. Without intervention, much of this waste would end up in overflowing landfills. But with TexRev, that waste is given new life, spun back into yarns that will power the next wave of Filipino fashion.
Reinventing the Fabric Lifecycle
The TexRev process is as meticulous as it is groundbreaking. It begins with the careful collection and sorting of textile waste by color and material type. The fabrics are then shredded into fibers, refined through a process called carding, and spun into yarns. These are blended with virgin materials for enhanced durability and can be woven into new fabrics, ready for use in apparel, home textiles, and more.
What makes this initiative even more impactful is its ability to slash water and energy consumption, key factors in traditional virgin fiber production. “Through our commitment to the UN Global Compact and collaborations with DOST-PTRI, we are proving that a Filipino fashion brand can be a leader in circular fashion, making an impact both locally and globally,” says Anna Losanta Marie Lagon, Co-CEO of Bayo Manila, Inc.
Fashion’s Circular Future
At the recent 2025 National Textile Convention (TELACon), sustainability took center stage. Industry leaders, including DOST-PTRI Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr., and other key stakeholders, emphasized the role of the creative sector in making sustainability not just an industry standard but a cultural movement.
"The creative industry has become a powerful catalyst for integrating innovations that promote responsible production and sustainable materials," Dr. Leaño Jr. noted. "Filipinos are highly visual and experiential, making fashion a compelling platform for inspiring real change."
TexRev isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about rethinking fashion’s entire lifecycle. By providing garment manufacturers with sustainable alternatives to conventional textiles, this initiative ensures that Filipino fashion doesn’t just keep up with global trends but leads the charge in circularity.
As fast fashion faces increasing scrutiny, TexRev offers a glimpse into a future where sustainability and style are seamlessly woven together. Because in the world of fashion, reinvention isn’t just about the latest silhouette or color trend—it’s about changing the way we create, consume, and ultimately, care for what we wear.
