Swedish sustainable technology company Renewcell is pioneering a circular solution for the fashion industry with its innovative Circulose™ fiber, made entirely from recycled textiles. The breakthrough material offers fashion brands a viable alternative to virgin fibers while addressing the growing problem of textile waste.
Building a Sustainable Supply Chain
Renewcell has established a global supplier network to scale production of its recycled fiber. The Circulose™ Supplier Network comprises 47 yarn and textile producers across 12 countries, including industry leaders such as Italy's Albini Group, America's Cone Denim, Austria's Linz Textiles, and Turkey's Cyclo Recycled Fibers.
The network aims to create a stable supply chain for the recycled fiber, facilitating broader adoption by fashion brands. This collaborative approach marks a significant step in commercializing Circulose™ and transitioning the textile industry toward circular production models.
Certification and Quality Assurance
In June, Renewcell obtained Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) certification for Circulose™, verifying that the material originates from authenticated textile waste and meets stringent environmental and social production standards. The certification provides transparency throughout the supply chain, giving brands confidence in the fiber's sustainability claims.
From Waste to Wardrobe
Renewcell operates the world's first commercial-scale textile recycling plant in Sweden, where it transforms discarded cotton and viscose clothing into Circulose™ dissolving pulp. This material serves as the foundation for producing various regenerated fibers including viscose, lyocell (Tencel™), modal, and acetate.
The production process extracts cellulose from textile waste, which can then be manufactured into new fibers with quality comparable to virgin materials. The current facility has an annual capacity of 60,000 tons, with plans to expand to 120,000 tons - equivalent to the fiber content of approximately 600 million T-shirts.
Industry Adoption
Major fashion brands have begun incorporating Circulose™ into their collections. Levi's launched its first circular jeans using a Circulose™-cotton blend last year, while H&M has featured the material across multiple product lines. PVH Corp, parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, has also adopted the fiber for select items.
These implementations demonstrate the material's versatility across different apparel categories, from denim to casualwear and formal garments.
Environmental Impact
Traditional textile production consumes significant natural resources and generates substantial waste. Circulose™ offers a closed-loop alternative by diverting textile waste from landfills and reducing reliance on virgin materials. While the recycling process still requires energy and water inputs, Renewcell continues optimizing production methods to minimize environmental impact.
The company is exploring renewable energy solutions and water efficiency measures to further reduce the fiber's ecological footprint. As consumer demand for sustainable fashion grows and regulatory pressures increase, recycled fibers like Circulose™ are positioned to play an expanding role in the textile industry's transition toward circularity.