#Recycling / Circular Economy

2022-01-06

Successful industrial scale viscose filament yarn production from 100 percent Circulose®

In collaboration with the leading Chinese viscose filament yarn producer Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation, Renewcell has successfully used 100 percent Circulose® dissolving pulp in industrial scale viscose filament yarn production. While viscose staple fibers made with Circulose® have been commercially available since 2019, the filament development opens up additional product segments for 100 percent Circulose® fibers in activewear, as a substitute for polyester filament, and in luxury as a substitute for silk.

Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation (‘Yibin’), a CanopyStyle “Green Shirt” ranked viscose staple fiber and viscose filament yarn producer based in China, has verified Circulose® pulp for use at a 100 percent concentration in industrial scale viscose filament yarn production. The quality of the yarn produced from 100 percent Circulose® by Yibin in December 2021 exceeds “Superior Grade” according to Chinese National Standards of GB/T 13758-2008. This marks the first known industrial scale production of virgin quality viscose filament yarn made from 100 percent recycled textiles. The new commercial partnership with Yibin has been facilitated by Renewcell’s exclusive trading partner Ekman Group.

Patrik Lundström, CEO Renewcell — Photo: Alexander Donka

"Our partnership with Renewcell and Ekman is an exciting and giant step,” commented Deng Min, President of Yibin Grace Group Co. Ltd. and Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation. “Circulose® filament yarn made from 100% recycled textile waste is a significant addition to our Made in Green product portfolio. There is a clearly increasing consciousness for more sustainable material in textile industry. I am convinced that by combining our expertise and knowledge, we will reduce carbon footprint and accelerate progress towards our ambitious goal of making fashion a closed loop.”

The development follows on the successful lab scale production of 100 percent Circulose® filament yarn in collaboration with the German research institute Fraunhofer in 2020.

100 percent Circulose® viscose filament yarn spools — Photo: Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation

“I am delighted to expand the commercial Circulose® portfolio to include filament yarn. I am also impressed by Yibin’s innovation capacity and look forward to deepening our collaboration and start shipping Circulose® filament yarn to brand partners in 2022. In Renewcell’s endeavor to make fashion circular, we will keep working together with leading partners to prove the usefulness of Circulose® in different textile applications” comments Patrik Lundström, CEO of Renewcell.

100 percent Circulose® viscose filament yarn — Photo: Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation

“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.

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) yesterday officially signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem – a first-of-its-kind collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles.

Object Carpet tests production of rPET BCF yarn on Neumag BCF line

In a joint project with Object Carpet GmbH, Denkendorf; the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA), Augsburg; and Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH (NGR), Feldkirchen, Austria, Barmag investigated the processing of recycled polyester for BCF yarn. The goal was to evaluate the fundamental suitability of 100% recycled carpet material for reuse in carpet yarn production to create a closed-loop system in carpet manufacturing. To date, commercial rPET BCF processes have been based solely on rPET from bottle pellets.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

ITM 2026: Mayer & Cie. Global presents itself successfully at international industry trade fair

Mayer & Cie. Global has used ITM 2026 in Istanbul for its first major international appearance since the restart. Together with the Turkish representative Mayer Mümessillik, the company presented its premium circular knitting machines "Made in Germany", explained its future positioning within the group of companies and held talks with customers and representatives from numerous markets. The response to the restart was positive. The clear orientation of the company, the reliable worldwide network of representatives and the resumption of service and spare parts supply were welcomed by customers.