#Recycling / Circular Economy

2023-09-14

Spinnova and Renewcell announce cooperation to scale circular fashion

Spinnova, the sustainable textile material company, partners with Swedish textile recycling innovator Renewcell to develop and promote a concept to commercialise and scale textile waste-based fibre. The collaboration is the first of its kind, where textile waste-based fibre can be spun into new fibre without harmful chemicals. The first consumer products from this new textile fibre are estimated to be available by the end of 2024.

Award-winning circular innovation companies Spinnova and Renewcell have announced their cooperation to introduce a technology concept for scaling the production of next-generation textile fibre from textile waste. The new fibre production concept combines patented technology from both companies and advances the circularity in the fashion and textile industries.

Pioneering a circular economy in the fashion industry, Renewcell recycles cellulosic-rich textile waste such as cotton and viscose using a patented process, which transforms textile waste into a pulp product called CIRCULOSE®. This biodegradable raw material is produced from 100% recycled textiles and can be used to create new fibre. Until now, CIRCULOSE® has been used to create man-made cellulosic fibres, such as viscose. With Spinnova’s transformative technology, the partners can turn CIRCULOSE® into a new, biobased textile fibre without any harmful chemicals in the fibre spinning process. This is a remarkable step towards addressing the industry’s growing textile waste problem, while setting new standards for sustainable textile fibre production.

Spinnova has already made successful trials spinning the CIRCULOSE® pulp into new textile fibre. The first batches of SPINNOVA® fibre made with 100 % CIRCULOSE® have been produced for yarn and fabric development, and the first prototypes are made from a blend of cotton and SPINNOVA® fibre made with CIRCULOSE®.

"The fashion and textile industry needs new solutions and collaboration across its supply chain, which makes this such an exciting partnership for us. Our goal is to accelerate the fashion industry’s transition to a circular economy and explore options to scale textile-to-textile fibre production. Developing our partnership with the skilled Renewcell team has been a great pleasure and the first tests combining Renewcell’s material and Spinnova’s technology have been very promising," says Ben Selby, Spinnova’s Deputy CEO.

"The textile industry is in the middle of a massive change, when moving from a linear business model to a circular economy. Change requires new partnerships and brave, innovative players. Learning more about Spinnova’s technology has been really exciting and we can't wait to launch the first collection made from CIRCULOSE® using Spinnova’s unique fibre spinning technology," continues Patrik Lundström, CEO at Renewcell.

The companies are currently assessing options to start scaling textile-to-textile fibre production with potential partners and expect to start developing the first consumer collection made from CIRCULOSE®-based SPINNOVA® fibre. The first consumer products are estimated to enter the global market at the end of 2024.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Circular economy offers the EU win-win on environment and economy

Stepping up a circular economy offers the European Union the potential for significant positive impacts on Europe’s environment and poses an untapped and strategic economic opportunity in terms of better access to materials and the creation of new businesses. Three new assessments on circularity, published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA), also stress the need to accelerate investment in circularity efforts to meet EU climate and environment policy targets.

BB Engineering unveils new, patented “Val-uePack” spin pack at ITM

At the upcoming ITM in Istanbul, taking place June 9–13 at the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center in Hall 7, Booth 702B, BB Engineering will once again be represented at a joint booth with its parent company, Barmag, and its representative, Tekstil Servis. The German machine manufacturer will show-case its expertise in man-made fiber and recycling technology, presenting its entire product portfolio, which includes compo-nents such as extruders and filters, as well as complete sys-tems for spinning synthetic fibers, air-texturing, and PET recy-cling.

Fifteen years of Autoneum – From spin off to global technology leader

What started as a strategic carve‑out has since become the success story of a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Autoneum supplies leading automobile manufacturers worldwide with innovative, lightweight and increasingly sustainable solutions.

Kruger, Canada, orders first nonwovens line for sustainable wipes from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from newly established Kruger Nonwovens to deliver a complete WetlaceTM hybrid line for the Wayagamack mill in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. With this investment, pulp and paper producer Kruger is preparing to enter the nonwovens market with a new generation of plastic-free, chemical-free materials for sustainable wipes. The line is the first of its kind in Canada and is scheduled to start production in 2028.

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.