The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) convened its Innovation & Technology Symposium 2025 at the Charles K. Kao Auditorium, Hong Kong Science Park, under the theme “Navigating Change: United for a Sustainable Future”. The half-day event brought together senior figures from government, industry, and academia to explore strategic approaches to sustainability across the textile and apparel sector.

Opening the symposium, HKRITA Chairman Teresa Yang emphasised the need to confront climate change, regulatory shifts and digital transformation with collective resolve. “Innovation is not just about invention - it’s about impact,” she said, reinforcing HKRITA’s role in driving change that aligns with both global and national sustainability agendas.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Prof Sun Dong, highlighted Hong Kong’s unique position in the global apparel industry and urged businesses to scale HKRITA’s solutions through collaborative partnerships and commercialisation. He reaffirmed the government’s support for Hong Kong’s dual ambition to be an international innovation and fashion hub.

Keynotes from influential industry leaders - including Dr William Fung of Fung Group, Simple Approach’s Sunny Malhotra, Donghua University’s Prof Dennis Jie Sun, and CNTAC’s Ms Lirong Sun - tackled the evolving textile trade landscape, the power of collaboration, and the role of creativity in advancing circularity and digital traceability.

A panel discussion led by Invest Hong Kong’s Angelica Leung focused on artificial intelligence as a driver of resilience and smarter supply chain decisions. Experts from Tessellation Group, Deloitte AI Institute and Toray Industries discussed how digital tools are crucial for navigating the fast-changing global market.

The event also showcased the next generation of innovators through the Open Lab Global Challenge Award Presentation. Winning entries by students from Western Washington University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Li Po Chun United World College offered imaginative solutions to circularity, climate action, and sustainable design. Full project details are available here.

HKRITA’s leadership in sustainable innovation was further recognised at the Just Style Excellence Awards 2025, where it secured three honours:

- Environmental (Waste Reduction) for strategies including nylon recovery from textile waste and denim wastewater treatment

- Innovation (Waste Upcycling) for turning kombucha waste into bio-based materials

- Research & Development (Functional Fabrics) for eco-friendly performance textiles in the athleisure market

These achievements underline HKRITA’s mission to ensure research delivers tangible industry impact. The institute continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening sustainability, collaboration and innovation in the global textile value chain.

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