Swedish recycling company Renewcell is best known in the textile industry for its upcycling of cellulosic textile waste, such as cotton clothing, which it converts into its new material, Circulose. Since its inception in 2012, the company has worked with partners such as H&M, Aditya Birla, Tangshan Sanyou, Levi’s, Ganni, Daiwabo Rayon and Kelheim Fibres, among others. On August 19, Renewcell opened the world’s first commercial 100% textile-to-textile recycling plant in Sundsvall, Sweden.
Work began just over a year ago, on July 1, 2021. After adapting the site to its needs, Renewcell began erecting the building in October 2021 and completed it in ten months. After several test runs with water, the plant has now switched to textile waste running through parts of the process line for quality assurance and adjustments. The company assumes that the entire process line can be commissioned in September 2022. Capacity is estimated at 60,000 tons for the first half of 2022 and is expected to double by 2023/24.
“While our start of production marks a significant milestone in the global history of textiles, it also prompts me to reflect on the tremendous achievements of the team that built this facility,” said Renewcell CEO Patrik Lundström when he presented the interim report for Renewcell in late August commented on the second quarter of 2022.
“Now, after about ten months of hard work, the site is operational. And at a cost that is about half the cost of building a new viscose plant. Thanks to the dedicated effort of our experienced team, we were able to complete the project despite the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, cost increases and geopolitical crises,” added Lundström.
The next step is to gradually increase capacity and product quality over the next three to six months, with a focus on capacity and product quality. The company also relies on its Kristinehamn factory, which has a consistent production of over 90 percent within specification.
“We are now well placed to meet the ever-increasing demand for Circulose from fiber manufacturers and fashion brands and can still say we are five to seven years ahead of the competition. We are in advanced customer dialogues and see good opportunities to establish a higher price level and, for example, compensate for the increase in transport and energy costs,” concluded Lundström.