RAFFLES JAKARTA X MANTECO
Raffles Jakarta is honoured to present an exclusive collaborative industry session with Manteco, an Italian pioneer in circular textile innovation and sustainable wool production.
This special event, hosted at Raffles Jakarta, brings together students, faculty, and industry practitioners to explore the heritage, craftsmanship, and environmental impact of regenerated-wool techniques that have shaped sustainable fashion worldwide.
Manteco’s heritage spans more than eight decades, rooted in a legacy that began with transforming discarded wool garments into premium recycled wool yarns, all without the use of chemical dyes or processes.
Today, this heritage is embodied in MWool®, an advanced mechanical-recycling fibre that serves as a blueprint for circular design in the modern fashion industry.
Inside Manteco’s Circular Process
At the heart of the session is a deep dive into Manteco’s unique approach to sustainability, a process that begins with sorting pre- and post-consumer wool garments and ends with high-quality regenerated wool fibres sought after by leading fashion houses worldwide.
Rather than relying on chemical dyes or conventional textile processing, Manteco uses a mechanical, wet recycling method that preserves fibre integrity while significantly reducing environmental impact.
Through this process, old wool garments are carefully deconstructed, cleaned, and shredded, then blended and spun into new yarn that is as durable and luxurious as virgin wool, yet carries a substantially smaller carbon footprint.
Manteco’s circular system captures value that would otherwise be lost to waste streams, reinforcing the principles of closed-loop design and responsible material stewardship.
Participants will gain insight into the craftsmanship and philosophy behind sustainable textile innovation, including colour creation through Manteco’s Recype® system, an artisanal method that uses pre-dyed fibres to craft new colour palettes without the addition of chemicals.
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Sustainability in Action: Education Meets Industry
This collaboration reflects Raffles Jakarta’s commitment to connecting academic learning with real-world sustainability practices that define the future of fashion and design.
Through engagement with Manteco Academy, the educational initiative of Manteco dedicated to sharing expertise in circular textiles and responsible innovation, our students gain direct exposure to industry methodologies that prioritize environmental stewardship, technical excellence, and creative leadership.
The session offers more than technical knowledge. It positions sustainability as a strategic foundation of contemporary fashion leadership. As the global industry transitions toward regenerative and circular models, experiences such as this prepare students for careers in which ethical design and responsible production are no longer optional but expected standards.
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A Shared Vision for a Greener Fashion Future
Manteco’s philosophy strongly resonates with Raffles Jakarta’s mission to cultivate designers, strategists, and innovators who actively shape the evolution of the fashion ecosystem.
As industries worldwide pursue sustainable alternatives to traditional supply chains, this collaborative session becomes a vital platform for deepening both conceptual and practical understanding of circular fashion.
We believe education must engage directly with real industry challenges and opportunities. This collaboration embodies that belief, creating a meaningful exchange between institution and innovator, where knowledge, experience, and forward-thinking practice converge.