Finland-based Spinnova has invented a fibre yarn technology that spins yarn directly from wood fibres without complex chemical processes. The yarn manufacturing process Spinnova has pioneered reportedly uses 99 per cent less water and 80 per cent less energy than the cotton process.
As impressively, the wood fibre method does not require extra chemical treatment of the pulp fibre. And, the yarn is recyclable. With the Spinnova process, the amount of wood used annually in Finland could reportedly be enough to replace the world’s entire cotton production. Perhaps that’s far-fetched, but if the yarn-making method were to gain major traction, then it could, revolutionise both the textile and forest industry.
After all, innovations in synthetic fabrics led to polyester and poly-blended performance wear – a category that has absolutely taken over the promo market. As more corporations and consumers focus on sustainability, demand for apparel created with wood fibre yarns could one day rise, provided it’s cost-effective and adopted widely at retail, among other considerations.