#Recycling / Circular Economy

2024-12-05

Infinited Fiber and Norbite collaborate in EU-funded TEX-INSECT project

Infinited Fiber Company is pleased to announce its collaboration on the EU funded TEX-INSECT project, which aims to develop and optimize Norbite’s technology that converts synthetics originating from textile waste into sustainable bioproducts. Infinited Fiber’s process takes in cotton-rich textile waste otherwise destinated into landfills or incinerators.

One of the key advantages of Infinited Fiber’s technology is its ability to use cotton-blend feedstock – such as cotton-rich textiles containing polyester, elastane, or other synthetics – that is typically considered unusable by most textile recycling processes. This project aims to further strengthen feedstock versatility by improving side stream utilization.

The TEX-INSECT initiative, led by Norbite, includes the development of a novel insect-based biorefinery that employs the larvae of Galleria mellonella to digest and transform synthetic polymers into valuable products such as proteins and lipids. These outputs can then be used in applications like biofertilizers, technical applications like glue and as food for animals. As part of the TEX-INSECT project, a pilot biorefinery will be developed to process a variety of different polymers derived from post-consumer textile waste.

This pilot aims to optimize the environmental conditions necessary for the biorefinery to function effectively. Given the irregularity of the input materials, the Norbite’s process emphasizes stringent quality control and adherence to safety regulations to ensure that the resulting bioproducts are safe for their intended uses.

In this two-year project, Infinited Fiber will collect synthetics residues, laying the groundwork for development work. These samples will be utilized by Norbite, driving the project towards its goal of creating sustainable bioproducts with increased process yields.

https://infinitedfiber.com/

Infinited Fiber Company appoints new chair and board members to drive next growth phase

Infinited Fiber Company has announced key changes to its Board of Directors following its Annual General Meeting on June 30, 2025. The new appointments are designed to support the company’s strategic focus on scaling its proprietary Infinna™ technology, expanding partnerships across the textile value chain, and preparing for industrial-level investment.

Infinited Fiber Company enters the next strategic phase under new leadership

Infinited Fiber Company announces that Petri Alava, co-founder and CEO since the company’s founding in 2016, will step down from his role on May 31, 2025. Chief Operating Officer Sahil Kaushik will serve as acting CEO from June 1, 2025. Petri Alava will continue supporting the company as Senior Advisor through the end of November. The Board of Directors has initiated the search for a permanent successor.

20 Start-Ups selected for CEMATEX Start-Up Grant at ITMA 2027

CEMATEX has selected 20 emerging start-ups from nine countries to receive the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant and showcase their innovations at Start-Up Valley during ITMA 2027 in Hanover. Their participation will be fully funded by CEMATEX, giving promising early-stage companies access to the world’s leading textile and garment technology platform.

Moving Advanced Recycling from Innovation to Implementation

The Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 explores technologies, markets, financing and scale-up of innovative recycling solutions for waste streams including mixed plastic waste, textiles and PVC. Europe’s chemical and materials sector faces growing pressure to close carbon loops, strengthen raw-material safety and resilience and meet increasingly ambitious EU recycling targets. Against this backdrop, the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) will bring together industry leaders, technology providers, researchers, innovators and policy-makers on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany.

VDMA Textile Machinery with new Executive Board

At the general meeting of VDMA Textile Machinery held in Hanover at the end of September, Dr Janpeter Horn, Managing Director of A. Herzog Maschinenfabrik, was re-elected as Chairman of the trade association. Regina Brückner, managing partner of Brückner Trockentechnik, and Verena Thies, managing partner of Thies Textilmaschinen, will once again serve as vice-chairs for the next four years.

Rieter appoints Daniel Lippuner as new CEO as Thomas Oetterli steps down

Thomas Oetterli has decided to step down from his function as CEO, effective October 31, 2026, and hand over the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors. “After the successful implementation of the Next Level performance program, the structural measures initiated to consolidate the sites and the acquisition of Barmag, the time has come to hand over responsibility to new hands,” explains Thomas Oetterli.

Kraig Labs ships first commercial spider silk yarn

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced the shipment of its first commercial order of recombinant spider silk yarn. The custom-engineered yarn was produced to fulfill a purchase commitment from a globally recognized performance sports brand and is slated for development into a first-of-its-kind performance textile.