#Recycling / Circular Economy

2023-03-02

Rieter and Recover: Cooperation in the field of recycling

International governments and downstream consumers call for greater cooperation in the textile industry for a circular economy. It is becoming more significant to make a combined effort with other major stakeholders in different areas to respond to the increasing demand for transition.

Rieter and Recover agreed to join hands for technological advancements and research projects in the field of recycling. Both parties will work together to conduct trials and initiatives with various recycled raw materials and blends to build a solid foundation for textile circularity.

Rieter has high competence in customized spinning systems for staple fibers including recycled materials and Recover has developed its expertise in processing and applying high-quality recycled fibers. Both parties are expected to create synergies by improving the processing of pre-and post-consumer recycling materials.

In a trial, high-quality yarn was produced with recycled material from Recover with Rieter ring spinning machines. © 2023 Rieter

Recover™ and Rieter partner to reshape sustainable textiles

This joint cooperation is betting on ambitious research that hopes to increase the availability, applicability and use of recycled textiles as raw materials.

Agents of change: investing in the future of recycled fibers

Potential new blends

Rieter and Recover™ have joined hands to develop technological advancements and research projects in the field of recycling. Both parties are working together to conduct trials and initiatives with various recycled raw materials and blends to build a solid foundation for textile circularity.

Specifically, they are working to amplify Recover's catalogue of blends, Recover announced in the press release. The challenges lie in mechanically recycling diverse fabrics without sacrificing the integrity of the resulting fiber.

New horizons for post-consumer textile waste

Most of the textile waste Recover currently recycles is either post-industrial or pre-consumer as both are easier to sort – by composition and by color. Post-consumer waste, on the other hand, is more challenging as pieces’ composition varies widely (from 100% cotton to cotton/polyester blends and rayon).

With Rieter, Recover hopes to change that. They’re working side by side to be able to scale the recycling of post-consumer textiles and still produce the highest-quality recycled fiber.

Rieter has high competence in customized spinning systems for staple fibers including recycled materials and Recover™ has developed its expertise in processing and applying high-quality recycled fibers. Both parties are expected to create synergies by improving the processing of pre-and post-consumer recycling materials and to extending the scope of use of recycled fibers with improved processes and machines.

Improved traceability

Rieter and Recover™ are collaborating with 3rd parties such as universities to verify how much recycled fiber is left in the yarn when applying new processes. This collaboration is expected to help the textile industry enhance the competence of verifying real recycled material usage.

Promising alliances for a promising future

"We’re excited to see where this cooperative research takes us. We’re thrilled to continue working alongside Rieter as we work towards a circular textiles future", Recover said in a statement.

Rieter advances strategic repositioning amid market volatility

Rieter successfully completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026, and reached an important milestone in the company’s repositioning. Barmag will be integrated into the Rieter Group as the “Man-Made Fiber” Division. With this strategically transformative acquisition, Rieter is expanding its core business beyond the short-staple fiber business in a targeted way. This positions Rieter as the global market leader along the entire value chain for natural and man-made fibers. In addition, as a complete systems supplier, Rieter is further strengthening its technological leadership in the areas of automation and digitization.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.

Rieter adjusts group structure in preparation for Barmag integration

The planned acquisition of the “Barmag” Division of OC Oerlikon will create the leading system provider worldwide for natural and man-made fibers. Rieter is confident it will receive all regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Rieter Group is therefore adjusting its Group structure as of January 1, 2026, to take this acquisition into account and to be able to provide an even more agile response to market challenges.

Selenis to double capacity in Portugal by Q3 2027 - Accelerating the Global transition to circular and low-carbon polyesters

Selenis, a global leader in high-performance specialty polyesters and part of the IMG Group, has announced a transformational expansion of its industrial headquarters in Portalegre, Portugal. This strategic investment is set to double the site’s production capacity by the third quarter of 2027, significantly accelerating the industrial scale-up of bio-based, medical-grade, and circular co-polyesters.

Pellet press enables thermomechanical textile recycling on a pilot scale at ITA

Since the end of 2025, the technical centre of the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has been equipped with a pellet press from the manufacturer Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany. This press can efficiently compact shredded synthetic textiles at a throughput of up to 25 kg/h and process them into pellets with a diameter of 4 mm.

Fabolose: Fabricating vegan and circular leather alternatives from bio-tech-derived cellulose

Fabulose is an EU funded project coordinated by the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF). Its consortium consists of leading research institutes, biotech innovators, and industry stakeholders who aim to create high-performance, biobased and recyclable leather-like fabrics, using efficient biotech production routes for bacterial cellulose, cyanophycin and bacterial pigments

JEC World 2026 returns with an unprecedented content program

Recognized worldwide as the leading trade exhibition for composite materials and their applications, JEC World returns on March 10-12, 2026, at Paris Nord Villepinte as the most ambitious edition to date, in line with its motto “Pushing the limits”. As the must-attend event for the composites industry, JEC World will offer an unprecedented program, blending conferences, markets insights, technical sessions, awards, and above all, a unique experience and invaluable connections.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Keeping print inclusive: Empowering women in the print industry

Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.