VÄXJÖ, Sweden — October 28, 2019 — At present, no one in the world can recycle fibers from blended fabrics on a large scale. Södra reports it now has a unique solution that will enable circular flows in the fashion and textile industry.
“Only a negligible proportion of the global production of clothing and textiles is recycled today,” said Lars Idermark, president and CEO of Södra. “Virtually everything is sent to landfill or incineration. But Swedish innovation and a willingness to help mitigate climate change can now influence the game at a global level.”
One of the major obstacles to textile recycling is that the fabrics are often made from blended materials. Södra’s new technique can separate the cotton and polyester in poly/cotton blends, which are one of the most widely used textiles on the market. The pure cotton fibers are then added to the company’s wood-derived textile pulp, which can then be used to make new textiles.
“We are now redrawing the map for the fashion and textile industry by offering circular flows of textile fibers,” said Johannes Bogren, president of Södra Cell Bioproducts. “A sweater can now become a sweater again. This will create added value for our customers, and especially the fashion industry. It’s a big day for us and an equally big day for the emerging circular bioeconomy.”
During the autumn, Södra’s pulp mill at Mörrum produced pulp by adding 20 metric tons of used textiles. At present, Södra can only accept white textiles, but the aim is to also find a decolouring solution. The goal is also to investigate the possibility of extracting a stream of residual products from the polyester. Swedish laundry and textile service provider Berendsen delivered the test material used in the pilot project comprising end-of-life sheets, towels, tablecloths and bathrobes from hospitals and hotels.
“We will be able to accept viscose and lyocell in addition to poly/cotton blends,” said Helena Claesson, project manager, Södra. “Due to the technological change in our processes, we will be needing large volumes of textiles. We are now seeking companies with high sustainability ambitions that would like to partner with us in the delivery of textiles,”
Production will commence at a low rate of 30 metric tons this year, but the long-term target is to add 25,000 metric tons of textiles to the company’s pulp production.
Posted October 28, 2019
Source: Södra
