Renewcell
and Kelheim Fibres Gmbh have signed a Letter of Intent for a long-term
commercial collaboration to add the crucial missing link for a circular economy
for textiles in Europe. Together, the two technology leaders will collaborate
on developing commercial scale production of superior quality viscose fibers
from up to 10 000 tonnes of Renewcell’s 100% textile recycled material
Circulose annually. The collaboration paves the way toward a fully European
closed loop in which textile waste is collected, recycled and regenerated into
new Circulose fibers for people that want to reduce their fashion footprint
significantly.
“European
fashion consumption has great impact on climate and the environment globally.
It also contributes to tremendous amounts of waste going into landfill and
incinerators either in Europe or abroad after export. We will now work with
Kelheim to prevent waste and reduce the need for virgin resources, while also
enabling a fully regional supply of low impact circular fibers for textiles. We
are thrilled for the opportunity to work closely with a partner like Kelheim,
who is at the leading edge of innovation and sustainability in this industry,â€Â
commented Patrik Lundström, CEO of Renewcell.
Craig
Barker, CEO at Kelheim Fibres, added, “We see an excellent fit between our
two companies, not only on the technical side – with Renewcell we have found a
highly professional partner who shares our vision for future-forward
technologies that enable full circularity in the textile chain. Finding the
answers to the challenges of our times is what drives us every day.”
He
added, “Our recycled cellulose fibre solution made of Renewcell’s
Circulose and manufactured using environmentally sound processes at our Kelheim
plant is an answer to the fashi on industries need for sustainable, resource
and waste reducing solutions, and a more regional and reliable supply chain.â€Â
Founded
by innovators from Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2012, RenewCell
AB is a multi-award winning sustain-tech company based in Sweden. The company’s
vision is to inspire an industrial evolution to a sustainable world by
producing high quality materials from recycled textiles. Through its patented
process, Renewcell is able to upcycle cellulosic textile waste, such as cotton
clothes, transforming it into a pristine new material called Circulose. Fast
Company named Renewcell as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies 2021.
Circulose was also included on TIME Magazine’ s list of the 100 Best Inventions
2020.
Kelheim
Fibres GmbH is the world’s leading manufacturer of viscose speciality fibres.
Innovative
products, flexible technologies and an exceptional focus on sustainability form
the
foundation of the company’s success. Its plant-based speciality fibres are used
in most diverse applications from fashion, hygiene and medical products to
nonwovens and speciality papers. They offer an environmentally sound
alternative to petroleum-based materials in a broad range of different end
products while maintaining or even enhancing the functional performance of the
product. The production takes place exclusively in Germany and complies with
the strict German environmental legislation. Kelheim Fibres’ closed loop
philosophy and an energy efficient way to operate its plants help to save
valuable resources. Kelheim Fibres is the first viscose manufacturer worldwide
with an EMAS validated environmental management system.