#Recycling / Circular Economy

2024-10-24

First tests for pilot plant for chemical recycling of textiles successful

Ence and the Swedish start-up ShareTex have successfully conducted the first tests of textile chemical recycling through an innovative technology that does not require high pressure, temperature, nor does it use toxic solvents.

This technology will be verified in the pilot plant that Ence and ShareTex are going to launch in the town of As Pontes in A Coruña and will allow the manufacture of recycled textile fibres.

Within the framework of these tests, a process has been addressed that makes it possible to recover a wider range of products than traditional mechanical recycling, including those whose composition presents a mixture of components (as is the case in most textile products), integrating them back into the textile value chain or into high added value products.

The start-up of the pilot textile waste recycling plant in As Pontes is a strategic project for Ence, as it is in line with the company’s commitment to minimising the use of natural resources, as well as a key project in ShareTex’s strategy to commercialise its technology.

Likewise, the Consorcio Galego para a Reciclaxe Química de Téxtiles Posconsumo (Galician Consortium for the Chemical Recycling of Post-consumer Textiles) is being set up with the main objective of promoting research activity in the field of sustainable recycling technology in Galicia.

This institution is made up of, among others, the Swedish startup ShareTex, Ence, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies of the University of Santiago de Compostela (CRETUS), the EQ2 group of the University of Vigo, the University of La Coruña, CETIM Technological Centre, AIMEN Technological Centre and the textile recycling companies Insertega and Coleo.

Ence in As Pontes

Ence will carry out an investment of up to 355 million in the implementation of the three phases of its overall project in As Pontes, a project that will generate about 1,250 jobs.

With regard to these phases, the first will involve the implementation of a recovered fibre plant which includes the pilot plant for the recovery of textile fibres, the second includes a cogeneration plant of 150 MW of thermal power and about 50 MW of electrical power and the third, a tissue plant.

Indorama Ventures strengthens Packaging business through strategic circular PET partnership

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

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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

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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).