A washing solution that extends the life of garments, AI that helps cotton farmers increase yields and income, circular recycling of elastane and polyester blends, carbon negative viscose made from CO2 emissions and regenerative agriculture that makes the planet a positive alternative are the prize winners, who share a € 1 million grant from the Swedish H&M Foundation.

H&M Foundation launched Global Change Award 2015 to transform fashion and make it positive for the planet, so that industry can meet the UN’s sustainable development goals by 2030. This means finding and supporting disruptive innovations aimed at one or more of the world’s global global commons – land, water, sea, climate and biodiversity. Since the purpose is to find innovations that enable major changes for the entire industry, the winners are free to collaborate with whichever player they want, the company says in a press release.

The response from the applicants was overwhelming and made it clear that there is no shortage of disruptive innovations out there. The drive to turn the fashion industry into a positive planet, to protect our planet and improve people’s living conditions has never been stronger. This year’s winners are:

A washing solution that extends the life of garments, AI that helps cotton farmers increase yields and income, circular recycling of elastane and polyester blends, carbon negative viscose made from CO2 emissions and regenerative agriculture that makes the planet a positive alternative are the prize winners, who share a € 1 million grant from the Swedish H&M Foundation.

BioPuff from saltyco (UK) – A planet positive alternative to goose down, made from plants that heal damaged land.

Biorestore (Sweden) – A washing solution that restores old and worn garments to new condition.

CottonAce from Wadhwani AI (India) – An AI solution that reduces pesticide use, increases yields and raises incomes for smallholder cotton growers.

Re: lastane (China) – The first gentle process that makes elastane and polyester blend fabrics recyclable.

Rubi (US) – Planet-positive viscose and lyocell made from carbon dioxide emissions.

In addition to the financial contribution, all five winners will also have access to the one-year GCA Impact Accelerator program provided by the H&M Foundation in collaboration with Accenture, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and The Mills, which offers the winners invaluable coaching and support, along with a strong network and memories for life. GCA Impact Accelerator aims to help the winning ideas scale at a rapid pace through business, technology, investors and innovation readiness and industry access. It also offers winners a mix of inspiring digital sessions and meetings in key locations.

“The winners of the Global Change Award have the key to the complex challenges we face and prove that it is possible to reinvent fashion. Their game-changing innovations are truly inspiring and can help transform the fashion industry into a positive world. ” Karl-Johan Persson, board member of the H&M Foundation and chairman of the H&M groupsays in a statement.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)