Recycled and repurposed cotton are trending topics on the web, with each garnering search results in tens of millions. So, there is no doubt a demand is present. However, this trend in fashion is in need of a refresh; a new innovative take on how to better utilize one of the world’s most coveted crops. One such company, Re:newcell, aims to do just that. About Re:newcell Founded in 2012, Re:newcell is a Swedish company formed by scientists at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The scientists had been researching new and efficient ways of producing bioethanol by decomposing cellulose (a component found in plants). As their research progressed, they discovered that their method could decompose cellulose found in cotton and viscose. Circulose was born, and the first garment made of the material would walk the runway at Berlin Ethical Fashion Week two years later. What is Circulose?
According to the Swedish company, Circulose is a dissolving pulp product made of recycled cotton from post-consumer textiles. Re:newcell claims that those who produce and purchase garments made from Circulose are cutting textile waste, saving water, and decreasing their overall footprint to almost zero. There is not a whole lot of information to share on this textile at the moment, but it is certainly exciting to know it exists. It is an important development, and one that everyone should keep on their radar. Circulose vs Organic Cotton According to Dezeen, Circulose possesses many of the same traits as cotton fiber. With that being said, here are some beloved characteristics of traditional, organic cotton.
Lightweight - Organic cotton, by nature, is a lightweight fiber. Cotton shirts, in particular, are easy to layer. Which, is one of the many reasons why people love to wear the material in the first place.
Soft - Organic cotton is also very soft, making it a great match for those who have sensitive skin.
Chemical-free - Several organic cotton fibers on the market are chemical-free. There are no pesticides or herbicides used in the growth process, and little to no harmful treatments used in production.
Why Circulose is Important There is no doubt that the fashion industry as a whole is trying to become more circular, and consumers are picking up on it, too, by adopting capsule wardrobes and re-wearing garments shamelessly. This is precisely the reason why Circulose is so important and why it is destined for great success. Thanks to the recent efforts of activists to bring more attention to the environmental crisis, people have become increasingly cautious of the items they purchase. Consumers are looking for products that will make them feel as though they are making an impact, even if that impact is small. Brands That Should Participate
Several brands are advocating for the use of natural fibers in the manufacturing of their products. Among the most common fibers these companies are pushing for are recycled and/or organic cotton. We feel the following labels could benefit greatly from teaming up with Re:newcell to include Circulose in collections to come. Ecoalf Ecoalf, a brand known for their urban-inspired style, has created an entire collection of sweatshirts made from recycled cotton (38 million tons of water were saved in the making!). Each design features “Because there is no planet B” emblazoned across, in an effort to raise awareness for the environmental crisis that currently stands. Toad and Co. Toad and Co. is a sustainable clothing brand best known for their use of eco-friendly fabrics. Their recycled cotton tees are made with zero gallons of water and are made from discarded cotton garments that are shredded and re-spun. They are one of the very few brands to adopt a similar concept to Circulose in their production, and we feel the two companies could form a great partnership down the line. Patagonia Patagonia has started using reclaimed cotton fabric for their garments, and have made great strides in maintaining a closed-loop process in production. They have partnered with TAL Group, a major apparel manufacturer, to reuse cotton scraps by turning them into functional fabrics. There’s an age-old saying, and that is, “What goes around comes around.” While it may have a rather negative connotation, and isn’t necessarily related to fashion directly; it does signify a re-birth. Circulose is that re-birth for the cotton industry, in the sense that it is making the fiber new again. Suffice to say, cotton will be changed forever. To receive updates on Circulose and brands that are joining the movement for better cotton, head over to circulo.se. Read some more about COTTON: 4 Sustainable Cotton Alternatives Supima vs. Egyptian Cotton Supima: The World’s Finest and Softest Cotton Cover Image: Crystal de Passillé-Chabot