# Threading the future of circular fashion with Peter Majeranowski of Circ

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-09-07
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ

## Summary

Peter Majeranowski, co-founder and CEO of Circ, explains how his company pivoted from a failed biofuel startup to pioneering the chemical recycling of polycotton textiles. He details the hydrothermal process that separates cotton and polyester from blended garments, allowing them to be reused as virgin-quality materials. Majeranowski discusses securing partnerships with major brands like Zara and Patagonia, raising over $50 million in funding, and scaling production from pilot facilities to a planned 65,000-ton-per-year integrated facility.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ#t=0) Introduction: Peter Majeranowski and Circ
- [1:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ#t=77) Early Career and the Biofuel Pivot
- [13:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ#t=790) The Hydrothermal Process and Textile Recycling
- [20:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ#t=1258) Sourcing Waste and Scaling Production
- [25:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ#t=1520) Partnerships with Zara and Patagonia
- [26:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-07-threading-the-future-of-circular-fashion-with-peter-majeranowski-of-circ#t=1617) The Future of Circular Fashion

## Topics

- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Circ (company)
- Titan Biosciences (company)
- Patagonia (company)
- Zara (company)
- Avery Dennison (company)
- Zalando (company)
- Hillary Koprowski (other)
- Virginia Tobacco Commission (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [93% Lower Impact: The Tech Making Sustainable Fashion Competitive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-08-28-93-lower-impact-the-tech-making-sustainable-fashion-competitive) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [141 - Kieran White from Return Protocol formerly at Lasso Loop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-07-141-kieran-white-from-return-protocol-formerly-at-lasso-loop) (People of Packaging)
- [From Make-Use-Throw Away to Circular: Plastics Manufacturing’s Next Chapter w/ Ross Eisenberg](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-06-03-from-make-use-throw-away-to-circular-plastics-manufacturings-next-chapter-w-ross) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [40. Why Plastic Eating Enzymes Will Save Our Oceans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [64. Solution To The Plastic Problem & Smart Fabrics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-05-64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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