HKRITA Ties with Institutions to Drive Textile Research

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has taken a significant step in advancing innovation and technology applications by establishing strategic partnerships with leading mainland research and technology institutions. HKRITA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Donghua University and a Letter of Intent on a Co-operation Framework with the Pudong-Hong Kong Institute for Technology Transfer and Innovation Limited and Pudong New Force Incubator. These agreements aim to strengthen research collaboration, technology transfer and incubation. Ms Teresa Yang, Chairman of HKRITA, says, “We are excited to partner with our mainland counterparts to drive impactful research and unlock new opportunities for the textile and clothing industry. These collaborationsfocus on facilitating knowledge transfer, advancing technology incubation and promoting industry applications. Our commitment is to create an ecosystem that fuels innovation, inspires breakthroughs and expands the application of advanced technologies in the global market, ensuring sustainable growth and shared success.” Donghua University, formerly known as China Textile University, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1951. It operates under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in the mainland. Over the past 70 years, it has made significant contributions to the development of the country’s textile industry. The collaboration with Donghua University will focus on driving research topics such as textile material circularity, microplastics solutions and functional fibres and textiles. Prof Xiang Yanxun, President of Donghua University, states that, “This exchange lays the groundwork for enhancing collaboration between our two organisations in key areas such as research, concept validation and knowledge transfer. Our goal is to contribute to the country’s efforts to reach peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, thereby promoting industrial transformation and fostering the high-quality development of the economy and society in both Shanghai and Hong Kong.” The Pudong-Hong Kong Institute for Technology Transfer and Innovation Limited, established under the promotion of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organisation, represents a key milestone in strengthening scientific and technological cooperation between Pudong and Hong Kong. Pudong New Force Incubator is the first biotechnology-focused incubator jointly built by Shanghai Pudong Construction Co Limited and Shanghai Labs Window Co Ltd. HKRITA’s collaboration with these two parties aims to set up an innovation platform, develop projects involving bio-renewable materials with low carbon emissions. These initiatives seek to incubate technologies and accelerate their application across the industry. Mr Chan Yi Ngok, representative of Pudong-Hong Kong Institute for Technology Transfer and Innovation Limited, says, “The Letter of Intent on a Co-operation Framework is beneficial for tapping resources for business in the Yangtze River Delta region. It focuses on key areas such as HKRITA’s development in Shanghai and the establishment of an innovation centre for the integration of green materials and Fashion Industry, fostering in-depth exchanges together.” Ms Li Chenfei, Strategic Director of Pudong New Force Incubator, expresses that, “We look forward to working with HKRITA to promote the integration of artificial intelligence and the fashion industry, the incubation and transformation of scientific and technological achievements in the areas of biorenewable and green low-carbon technologies.”