New garment production has doubled in the last fourteen years, an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste is generated each year, and a truckload of textile waste is landfilled or burned every second around the world.
Company Renewcell has developed a solution by innovating a recycled fabric called Circulose®. Circulose® is not only sustainable because it is an alternative cellulose pulp made from recycled textile waste. It is also environmentally friendly because its innovative production process runs on 100% renewable energy.
Moreover, this new material does not involve the need for cotton fields, oils, or trees, as the company uses what already exists to make it. That is, old clothes and discarded textiles.
Compared to conventionally manufactured clothing, garments made with Circulose® reduce their environmental impact to almost zero. This is because Circulose® reduces water use, the creation of microplastics and waste, and the fashion footprint of deforestation.
If we compare viscose fibers made from wood pulp with those made from textile waste, we can clearly see that the latter have a much lower impact on carbon emissions. And therefore a more positive impact on the planet.
An Alternative to Viscose, Cotton, and Polyester
Renewcell, which is so far the only technology for fabric-to-fabric recycling, is being recognized as an important initiative for the transformation of the current linear model of apparel into a circular one. It should not be forgotten that the textile/fashion sector generates 8-10% of global carbon emissions and numerous negative effects on the planet and society.
Together with its partner brands, Renewcell hopes to demonstrate the usefulness of Circulose®, not only as a substitute for viscose but also for virgin cotton and polyester.
Renewcell believes that Circulose® can be an alternative for viscose, which may account for global consumption of 11 million metric tons by 2030. It will also be an alternative for cotton and polyester. For polyester, Renewcell has announced a partnership with HeiQ. Together they will develop a version of Circulose for the polyester and nylon market.
What Brands Are Using it?
Circularity is a cutting-edge material and it is no news that brands and companies around the world want to be part of this revolution. Re:newcell has collaborated with several leading brands around the world, promoting a circular economy and a sustainable approach to fashion.
In 2019, the Swedish company partnered with Chinese viscose manufacturer Tangshan Sanyou, which now produces viscose fibers made from 50% Re:newcell's Circulose® pulp and 50% FSC-certified wood pulp.
H&M became the first brand to use Circulose® on a market scale when it launched the Conscious Exclusive collection for the spring-summer 2020 season. The garment in question was a navy blue dress made partially from Circulose, which was made using distressed jeans.
Another brand that collaborated with Re:newcell is Levi's, long known for its sustainability efforts. In July 2020, the brand launched the Levi's® 502 ™ Taper jeans, which became the most sustainable model in the brand's history up to that point.
In addition, a limited-edition Vero Moda signature collection, called "The Beauty of Second Life," included a ruffled mini-dress made from 50% Circulose. The other half was wool cellulose. The ideall goal in the textile and fashion industry would be zero waste. Until that is solved, Circulose® fiber presents itself as a temporary and viable alternative to waste cotton.