Renewcell is revolutionizing the textile industry with the launch of the Circulose Supplier Network (CSN), a collective of 47 forward-thinking yarn and textile producers. Together, they are propelling the circular economy by providing a steady supply of Circulose fiber to the market.
In a groundbreaking move, Renewcell inaugurated the world's first industrial-scale chemical textile-to-textile recycling facility in Sundsvall, Sweden, in November 2022. Just a month later, the facility, named Renewcell 1, successfully dispatched its inaugural shipment of Circulose dissolving pulp—a remarkable milestone.
RCS Certification and the Innovative Circulose Process
Renewcell's commitment to sustainability is further solidified with the recent achievement of RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) certification for Renewcell 1. This accolade signifies that accredited Circulose pulp is now being produced on a larger scale. Initially equipped with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons, Renewcell 1 is set to undergo expansion, doubling its production capacity to an impressive 120,000 metric tons of pulp. To put this into perspective, it's equivalent to the material needed to create a staggering 600 million t-shirts.
At the heart of Circulose lies the innovative recovery process that extracts cellulose from discarded garments, transforming them into dissolving pulp composed entirely of recycled textiles. This pulp serves as the foundational material for a wide range of regenerated fibers, such as viscose, lyocell, modal, acetate, and other man-made cellulosic fibers. Presently, Circulose-based viscose is available from esteemed suppliers like Tangshan Sanyou and Yibin Grace, thanks to Renewcell's commercial partner, Ekman.
Driving Innovation and Collaboration
The formation of the Circulose Supplier Network marks a pivotal moment, as these early adopters become the trailblazers gaining access to significant volumes of this transformative product. By joining this network, members commit themselves to the continual advancement of circular solutions, assuming a vital role in shaping the future of sustainable textiles and end-products under the distinguished Circulose brand.
Patrik Lundström, the visionary CEO of Renewcell, emphasizes the integral role of the Circulose Supplier Network in the product's ongoing scalability. He stated that with this integration throughout the textile supply chain, fashion brands now have an extensive array of circular options at their disposal, allowing them to design and create clothing with Circulose, which will prove to be revolutionary.
About Renewcell
Renewcell is a pioneering company in the field of textile recycling and circular economy solutions. Its primary focus is on transforming discarded textiles into high-quality raw materials that can be used to produce new garments, reducing the reliance on virgin resources and minimizing waste.
One of Renewcell's most significant achievements is the development of Circulose, a breakthrough fiber made from 100% recycled textiles. Circulose is derived from the recovery of cellulose found in worn-out clothing, which is then transformed into dissolving pulp through an innovative and environmentally friendly process. This dissolving pulp serves as the foundation for producing various types of regenerated fibers, including viscose, lyocell, modal, and acetate, among others.
In November 2022, Renewcell opened the world's first industrial-scale chemical textile-to-textile recycling facility, named Renewcell 1, in Sundsvall, Sweden. This facility represents a major milestone in the company's efforts to scale up textile recycling and meet the growing demand for sustainable materials in the fashion industry. With an initial annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons, Renewcell 1 is set to expand its production capability to 120,000 metric tons of pulp, equivalent to a vast quantity of raw material for clothing production.