Market Update: September 2025

At Vegan Fashion Repository, we keep our ears firmly to the ground for every essential development in the vegan and sustainable fashion industry, and celebrate when another milestone is reached.

Here’s the summary of the highlights of September 2025:

The obvious win of the month comes from Europe. On 9 September 2025, the European Parliament officially passed the landmark Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, making brands accountable for the waste they generate. Under the new law, brands—whether based inside or outside the EU—must cover the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling textiles.

This regulatory milestone may have contributed to a somewhat optimistic atmosphere at New York Climate Week (21–28 September 2025). Discussions shifted from a focus on “disaster avoidance” to the pursuit of “better lives.” UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, emphasised the need to frame climate action as a positive opportunity, while Denmark’s Energy Minister, Lars Aagaard, stressed: “We have to convince [people] that if we go green, we’ll have a better future, better services, better living conditions.” Adding to the momentum, the Bezos Earth Fund announced it will increase its focus on fashion.
Source: European Parliament, Climate Week NYC, Business of Fashion

Technology and innovative materials

US-based biotech pioneer Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) is winding down operations. Founded in 2015, NFW developed next-gen materials including Mirum at its Illinois facility. The company raised $15 million, partnered with brands such as Allbirds, Another Tomorrow and Ralph Lauren, and was a 2024 Earthshot Prize finalist. Its closure prompts questions of whether it could follow Renewcell into a collapse-and-rebirth trajectory and certainly brings up a lot of business anxiety in the innovative biotech materials area.
Source: Just Style

On a positive note, Sparxell, Pangaia and the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) have unveiled the world’s first plastic-free, toxin-free, and biodegradable reflective pigment. Scaled from lab to industry, the innovation is slated for commercial launch in 2026, offering a circular alternative to synthetic colourants.
Source: The Interline

Search platform Depict AI has launched GPT Search for e-commerce. The tool allows shoppers to browse in line with a brand’s tone of voice (up to 40 words), while cutting return rates and associated emissions. It excludes out-of-stock or regionally unavailable items and factors in seasons or campaigns, aiming to make online shopping more efficient and sustainable.
Source: WWD

Pre-loved Market News

As eBay celebrates its 30th anniversary and announced its plans for a slew of designer partnerships, spanning all four fashion capitals: Altuzarra, Eckhaus Latta, Kallmeyer and Luar in New York; Erdem, Ahluwalia and Conner Ives in London; Moschino, Francesco Murano and Institution by Galib Gassanoff in Milan; and Ottolinger, Niccolò Pasqualetti and Burc Akyol in Paris. Ebay is also bringing back its Endless Runway pre-loved fashion shows to New York and London. And last week, Ebay opened the doors to its so-called ’95 Shop, an in-person and online treasure trove of nostalgic 1990s paraphernalia.  Marks and Spencer have joined forces with eBay to launch its first dedicated resale service, powered by Reskinned. Source: Vogue Business, The Industry

Reskinned is extending its pre-loved programme with Nobody’s Child, adding garments directly to its platform alongside eBay resale. The move increases access to affordable, sustainable fashion and keeps more clothes in circulation for longer. Sources: Reskinned

Vestiaire Collective has introduced a men’s resale category to tap into growing demand. With 70% of men now shopping resale, listings have surged 88% in three years, largely driven by Gen Z and Millennial buyers in luxury secondhand.
Source: Apparel Resources

Newly Released Reports

Textile recycling market outlook
According to Markets and Markets, the textile recycling market is projected to reach $11.88 billion by 2030, up from $8.41 billion in 2025 (CAGR: 7.2%).
Source: Markets and Markets

Textile Exchange’s Materials Market Report
Meanwhile, Textile Exchange has released its latest Materials Market Report, showing that global fibre production has reached a record high, largely fuelled by virgin fossil-based synthetics. Synthetics now represent 69 percent of the global fibre mix, up from 67 percent in 2023, with virgin polyester use surging by 23 percent between 2022 and 2024. Although recycled polyester has grown, it is still primarily derived from plastic bottles and its overall market share has fallen in comparison to virgin polyester. Pre- and post-consumer recycled textiles, meanwhile, continue to account for less than one percent of the global fibre market.
Source: Textile Exchange

AI guidance for fashion executives
Business of Fashion published a tech and AI-focused report by Technology Editor Marc Bain, offering a straightforward guide to AI for fashion executives. The report explains core concepts, strengths, limitations, and decision-making frameworks for integrating AI into business strategy.
Source: Business of Fashion

In other news…

Amid growing uncertainties in the independent fashion landscape—which includes many vegan and sustainable brands—the Superior Court of Quebec granted Ssense creditor protection, the Canadian equivalent of Chapter 11 in the United States. Burdened with $371 million in debt, the retailer can continue operations while restructuring or seeking a buyer. Nevertheless, the situation raises concerns about how Ssense’s support for independent designers may be impacted at a time when opportunities for experimental retail at scale are already diminishing.
Source: Vogue Business

New York Fashion Week wrapped up in a distinctly escapist mood, while London Fashion Weekmanaged to hold the attention of critics with what Vogue described as “signs of fresh energy.” Beyond the shows themselves, this season is being defined by an unprecedented wave of creative director debuts at Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Gucci, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jil Sander, Loewe, Mugler and Versace. These arrivals follow earlier 2025 reboots at Celine, Givenchy, Dior, Dries Van Noten, Margiela and Tom Ford, making this one of the most significant years of leadership transitions in recent memory.
Sources: Business of Fashion, Vogue