The average European throws away 11 kg of textile products per year. Worldwide, one truckload of textile products is landfilled or incinerated every second. Global production of textile products nearly doubled between 2000 and 2015, and consumption of clothing and footwear is expected to increase by 63 % by 2030.
Parallel to this relentless expansion, its negative impacts on resources, water, energy consumption and climate continue to grow. The need to address the production and consumption of textile products is now more pressing than ever.
As a result, the EU has put forward the Strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textile Products. It will implement the commitments made under the European Green Pact, the new Circular Economy Action Plan and the Industrial Strategy to create a greener, more competitive and modern sector that is more resilient to global shocks.
The strategy proposes actions for the entire life cycle of textile products, while supporting the ecosystem in the green and digital transition. It addresses how textile products are designed and used, and also examines sustainable technological solutions and innovative business models.
Refibra™ -the TENCEL™ Fiber by Lenzing
An example of innovative and sustainable textile solutions comes in the form of Lenzing, the Austrian company which started in the paper industry, and is now one of the leading producers of cellulosic fibers.
Lenzing markets wood pulp through different brands: TENCEL™, for textile applications; Veocel, for nonwovens; and Lenzing wood pulp, for special fiber applications in other areas and products. Within these three brands, the company has developments such as Refibra™ technology, Ecovero and TENCEL™ Luxe.
Refibra™ - The Latest Textile Innovation
Transparency is an increasing issue in the textile industry when it comes to proving the origin of materials. To assure customers that the fiber, made from recycled material, is inside the recycled textiles, Lenzing developed a new identification system. The system makes it possible to identify the Refibra™ fiber in the finished textile. This ensures transparency in the overall processing chain. Refibra™ itself is part of the global Lenzing brand service and is licensed once the textile has gone through a certification process.
Its latest innovation Refibra™ is referred to as the new generation of TENCEL™, and is leading the movement of "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle". Refibra™ is made from recycled materials that assures less dependence on natural raw materials. Refibra™ is based on TENCEL™ fiber, which has been internationally recognized for its environmentally responsible closed-loop production process, it offers a profound sustainability profile that contributes to the circular economy.
Scaling is the Next Step for Fiber Recycling
According to Lenzing’s business development manager Michael Kininmonth, the next step for Lenzing is to put recycled content in all its fiber. Along with putting it in viscose modal, and TENCEL™ x Refibra™, the next step in the plan is scaling.
With brands like Levi's using Refibra™, Lenzing has plans for scaling not just for Lenzing, but for the whole textile industry. This mindset comes from the momentum that recycling companies are currently receiving large investments from groups like the H&M Foundation and C&A. In the case of Lenzing, it’s currently engaging its joint venture Södra Group with Renewcell.