#Recycling / Circular Economy

2023-12-07

Complete ANDRITZ textile recycling line starts operating at Italian recycling specialist

ANDRITZ recently started up a new textile recycling line at Sfilacciatura Negro’s plant in Biella, Italy.

Designed for processing post-consumer textile waste with automatic removal of hard parts, the tearing line supports the company’s expansion into new recycling segments.

In view of the growing demand for sustainable fibers in the re-spinning and nonwoven industries, Sfilacciatura Negro Biella decided to expand its recycling capabilities. The company has extensive experience in recycling industrial textile waste and already operates two tearing lines. Based on its long-term collaboration with ANDRITZ, it is now stepping into the recycling of post-consumer clothing waste.

“Our approach is based on circularity. We make new fibers from textile waste that would otherwise end up in landfills,” Tiziano Negro, CEO of Sfilacciatura Negro, explains and adds, “Having worked with ANDRITZ for a long time and knowing their expertise in both textile recycling and nonwovens, we are convinced they are the right partner to support our company in our ambitious diversification project.”

The new generation recycling line ANDRITZ supplied to Sfilacciatura Negro is the result of ten years of close cooperation, trials in its technical center, and visits to customer lines in Spain and Portugal. ANDRITZ has tailored a complete line from feeding of sorted waste bales to baling of the recycled fibers. It is designed for highly efficient, energy-saving operation and features automated separation of hard points while maintaining a very good material yield. An automated filtration unit is provided for airflow and dust management. Only one operator is needed to manage the entire line up to the recycled fiber baler. The baler can produce film-wrapped and tied bales with a weight of up to 350 kg.

ANDRITZ Laroche project team with Alessandro Giana, co-owner of Sfilacciatura Negro in front of the new generation Exel line © ANDRITZ

Indorama Ventures strengthens Packaging business through strategic circular PET partnership

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, today announced a strategic partnership through Indovida, Indorama Ventures’ packaging business segment, with Suntory Holdings Limited, Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Iwatani Corporation, to bring commercial-scale circular PET packaging to Thailand. The collaboration further strengthens Indorama Ventures’ downstream packaging platform while expanding its leadership in circular packaging solutions.

Managed workwear services are providing a blueprint for the circular textile economy

Managed workwear service providers are demonstrating how commercial success and circularity can go hand in hand by extending garment lifespans through repair, laundering, reuse and recycling, according to “Managed workwear services—a circular textile economy ahead of the game”, a new 14‑page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

Eco-design as the foundation of circular textiles

Based on the results of an extensive European analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is currently developing three practice-based training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. This was preceded by a comprehensive company survey and a joint analysis conducted by the project partners under the leadership of IVGT. The results show that the greatest challenges lie not so much in a lack of technology as in skills gaps.

Usha Yarns secures growth equity investment from Fullerton Carbon Action Fund

Usha Yarns Limited (“Usha Yarns”), a producer of high-quality recycled yarns with advanced, well established production processes, announced a growth equity investment from the Fullerton Carbon Action Fund (“Fullerton”), a private equity strategy managed by Fullerton Fund Management that backs established mid-market companies across Emerging Asia to accelerate decarbonisation.

Asia's fashion extravaganza CENTRESTAGE returns in September

Asia’s premier annual fashion event CENTRESTAGE--organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 2 to 5 September. One of the flagship programmes of the third "Hong Kong Fashion Fest", CENTRESTAGE will bring together some 270 brands from 24 countries and regions and will feature more than 40 spectacular events, including over 30 fashion shows.

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

Barmag presents metering pump solutions at ASE China

From September 15 to 17, 2026, Barmag’s Pumps Division will present its solutions for the precise delivery and metering of adhesives, sealants, and other high-viscosity media at ASE China at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The focus of the exhibition will be on high-precision gear metering pumps that help plant managers sustainably optimize material usage, process stability, and product quality. (Booth E4235).