Circulose Pulp to Feed Spinnova Fibre Production

Textile recycling specialist Circulose has joined Spinnova’s technology ecosystem, as the companies work to accelerate the commercial scale-up of new textile fibres made from recycled materials.

Spinnova has built partnerships across the fibre value chain to expand production of its mechanically produced textile fibre. With Circulose joining the ecosystem, the company gains access to recycled cellulose feedstock derived from textile waste.

Circulose converts cellulosic-rich textile waste into dissolving pulp through a patented recycling process. Produced entirely from pre- and post-consumer textiles, the pulp can be used to manufacture regenerated fibres such as viscose, lyocell and viscose filament.

Under the collaboration, CIRCULOSE® pulp will serve as feedstock in Spinnova’s fibre production process. Unlike traditional man-made cellulosic fibres, which rely on chemical dissolution and regeneration, Spinnova’s patented technology converts pulp into textile fibre through a mechanical process that avoids harmful chemicals during fibre spinning.
According to the companies, CIRCULOSE® pulp can be used at 100% in Spinnova’s process, eliminating the need to blend recycled material with virgin pulp and allowing higher recycled content in the resulting fibres.

Spinnova previously tested the material in 2023 pilot trials, successfully spinning CIRCULOSE® pulp into textile fibres and evaluating its performance in yarn spinning and fabric weaving. The collaboration will further integrate the recycled pulp into Spinnova’s process and expand its availability to other partners in the ecosystem.

“We are excited to renew our partnership with Spinnova. Innovation will enable man-made cellulosic fibres to play a much larger role in textiles,” said Jonatan Janmark, CEO of Circulose. “Spinnova’s fibre offers both sustainability benefits and strong performance characteristics.”

Janne Poranen, CEO of Spinnova, said the partnership strengthens access to recycled raw materials while moving circular fibre production closer to commercial scale.

“With our technology, CIRCULOSE® pulp can be turned into cotton-like textile fibres rather than viscose,” Poranen said.

As demand for recycled and low-impact textile materials grows, the partnership is expected to expand the use of textile-derived pulp and support the development of more circular fibre production systems.

Source: Paper Advance