The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) hosted its annual Innovation & Technology Symposium 2025 on 22 July, bringing together government officials, business leaders and academics to accelerate sustainable transformation in the fashion and textile industries.
Held at the Charles K. Kao Auditorium in Hong Kong Science Park under the theme “Navigating Change: United for a Sustainable Future,” the half-day event spotlighted the critical role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in achieving climate and regulatory goals.
“Climate change, regulatory shifts and digital transformation demand a united response,” said Teresa Yang, Chair of HKRITA, in her opening remarks. “Innovation is not just about invention—it’s about impact.”
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Officiating the ceremony, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Dong Sun, called on businesses to scale HKRITA-developed solutions. “Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead as both an innovation and fashion hub,” he noted, emphasizing the government’s ongoing support.
Industry veterans including Dr. William Fung of the Fung Group and Sunny Malhotra CEO of Simple Approach joined where as academic leaders Donghua University’s Prof Dennis Jie Sun joined and addressed trade uncertainty, digital traceability, and circular economy opportunities. A standout panel moderated by Angelica Leung of InvestHK explored artificial intelligence’s growing role in building resilient, data-driven supply chains.
The symposium also showcased student-led sustainability innovations through the Open Lab Global Challenge Award. Winners from institutions in Hong Kong and the U.S. presented projects on climate action and circular design, underscoring youth engagement in sustainable fashion futures.
HKRITA’s contributions were further recognised at the 2025 Just Style Excellence Awards, winning in three categories: Environmental (Waste Reduction), Innovation (Waste Upcycling), and R&D (Functional Fabrics). Notable projects included nylon recovery, kombucha-based biomaterials, and eco-athleisure textiles.
Founded to bridge research and real-world solutions, HKRITA continues to drive sustainability across the global apparel value chain.
More details at: www.hkrita.com
