#Textile processing

2022-05-25

Coloreel receives financing from Nefco – Swedish innovation furthers circularity in the textile industry

On-demand thread colouring and fully recycled materials reduce the environmental impact of embroidery and make Coloreel a unique partner for sustainable clothing companies.

Nefco, the Nordic Green Bank, has signed a loan agreement with Coloreel Group AB to support its growth and expansion on global markets. The technology developed by Coloreel will lead to positive environmental effects within the textile industry by minimising thread waste, use of chemicals and wastewater.

All known embroidery machines on the market today rely on individual pre-coloured reels of thread for each colour used in the embroidery process. The Swedish company Coloreel’s unique, patented technology addresses this issue by using a single recycled polyester thread as input, thereby eliminating the need for pre-coloured threads, which are a significant cause of wastewater pollution. Coloreel’s on demand solution will also reduce the amount of wasted thread in the embroidery process.

“We are excited to provide this financing for Coloreel because the company has the potential to make embroidery and clothing production far more sustainable than it is today and enable a major step towards circularity in the textile industry,” said Fredrik Larsson, Investment Adviser, Nefco.

Coloreel’s innovation was driven by the significant environmental impact of the textile industry and the challenges posed by traditional methods of handling threads, which require many hundreds of thread reels to be stocked while still not ensuring the right colours are available to complete subsequent production orders. Based in Jönköping, southern Sweden, Coloreel is primarily looking to grow on global markets.

“The Nefco financing will go a long way in supporting our international expansion. It is also a strong acknowledgement of the sustainability benefits we can offer the textile industry,” said Torbjörn Bäck, CEO, Coloreel.

Using 100% recycled polyester threads, Coloreel offers the design freedom of digital print, including unlimited colours and effects, while delivering quality embroidery.

Coloreel Group AB files for bankruptcy

Coloreel Group AB, a pioneering Swedish technology company known for its instant thread dyeing technology, today announced that it has filed for bankruptcy. The decision comes after the company's inability to develop its business volume quickly enough and, related to this, secure the necessary financing.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI reshape textile processing

Investment decisions in textile processing have become increasingly complex. Rising energy prices, labour shortages and geopolitical uncertainties are forcing companies to prioritise technologies that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and process stability. This applies not only to apparel production, but also to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. Modernisation projects are therefore being evaluated more selectively – but the pressure to upgrade production systems continues to grow. Texprocess 2026 reflects this tension between cautious investment behaviour and increasing technological demand.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.