Fürth, Germany
The RECOSYS® rPET Jersey demonstrates how circular material strategies can be translated into high-quality, functional product design. Developed by LEONHARD KURZ, the jersey is made entirely from recycled PET derived from the company’s own industrial recycling process, RECOSYS® 2.0. The project illustrates how post-industrial plastic waste can be transformed into a valuable textile product without compromising performance, aesthetics, or design quality.
RECOSYS® rPET Jersey by LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung, won a 2025 Green Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies.
RECOSYS® 2.0 is an in-house recycling process in progress that converts PET carrier residues of the graphics industry into pure rPET granulate. The process is solvent-free, does not require water, and is designed for energy-efficient material recovery. By reintegrating post-industrial PET into new applications, RECOSYS® supports a circular use of resources and reduces dependence on virgin raw materials. The recycling cycle is independently certified, ensuring transparency and traceability of material origin and environmental impact.
For the jersey, as an example, the recycled rPET granulate is processed by partner companies into durable, high-performance yarn and further developed into a functional textile suitable for sportswear applications. The resulting material meets the mechanical and aesthetic requirements expected of modern technical textiles, proving that recycled materials can fully replace virgin PET in demanding use cases. The jersey combines lightweight comfort, durability, and visual appeal, demonstrating the versatility of recycled PET beyond traditional industrial or packaging applications.
Design plays a central role in the project. The surface is finished using sublimation printing and a silver transfer decoration applied using hot stamping technology, highlighting KURZ’s expertise in surface design and material finishing. This approach shows that sustainability and design excellence are not opposing concepts, but complementary drivers of innovation. The jersey serves as a tangible example of how circular materials can be used creatively while maintaining high standards of quality and functionality.
Beyond the individual product, the RECOSYS® rPET Jersey represents a scalable approach to circular product design. The recycled material can be applied across various industries, including technical textiles and automotive interior applications, enabling broader environmental impact. By transforming post-industrial waste into a new generation of sustainable textiles, the project demonstrates how industrial recycling processes can contribute meaningfully to resource conservation, CO₂ reduction, and responsible product design.
Designers: LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG.
Manufacturer: LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG
