#Recycling / Circular Economy

2021-12-22

Renewcell signs deals with European sorters to recycle thousands of tonnes of textiles annually

Bale of textile waste – photo Alexander Donka

During December, Renewcell has signed multi-year purchasing agreements with three different European textile sorters — SOEX in Germany, Texaid in Switzerland and Sysav in Sweden. These companies will supply thousands of tonnes of textile waste each year for recycling at Renewcell's new facility in Sundsvall. The deliveries to Renewcell will consist of clothing and other textiles collected from consumers that are not possible to sell second-hand.

We continue to build a strong regional supplier network for textile waste fractions that are suitable for recycling with us. We’re delighted to be able to offer our partners a profitable and circular alternative to downcycling, incineration or landfill of textile products that can not be sold second hand, says Martin Stenfors, COO at Renewcell.

Renewcell’s new textile recycling plant in Sundsvall, Sweden – photo Alexander Donka

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), more than five million tonnes of textile waste are generated in Europe each year. About one-fifth of this amount is collected for some form of re-use, recycling for upholstery, insulation or rags or for export to other countries. The rest is lost in ordinary household waste and ends up either in landfill or incinerated. The issue of textile waste management is a priority within the EU, and from 2025 onwards, new mandatory requirements for separate collection and preparation for textile waste recycling will apply to all Member States.

With our patented recycling process, we make it possible to create new high-quality textile raw material made entirely from recycled textile waste for the very first time. We are proud to contribute to creating a circular economy for textiles within Europe together with SOEX, Texaid and Sysav. Our joint effort scale up textile recycling is crucial for the EU to achieve the goals set for 2025, Martin Stenfors adds.

Martin Stenfors, COO Renewcell – photo Alexander Donka

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Circ launches first denim collection with H&M featuring TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ technology

Circ today announced that the first men's denim collection featuring TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ technology is now available at H&M, marking the commercial delivery of this unique pilot project first announced in October 2025. Featuring two styles available across the UK, Scandinavia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, South Europe, Turkey, North America, Mexico, Canada, and the Middle East, the launch brings TENCEL™ | Circ® with REFIBRA™ technology into H&M's standard men's denim assortment for the first time.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.