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Reju and Nouvelles Fibres Textiles' Partnership

On November 25, 2024, Reju™, a progressive textile regeneration company, announced a strategic partnership with Nouvelles Fibres Textiles (NFT) aimed at developing a circular ecosystem for textile waste in France. This collaboration signifies a significant move towards sustainable textile management and recycling.

Partnership Overview

The partnership will allow NFT to supply Reju with secondary raw materials derived from both used and unused textile waste for recycling into Reju’s proprietary regenerated polyester known as Reju Polyester™. This initiative seeks to enhance the infrastructure for the collection and processing of clothing and textile waste sourced from post-consumer and post-industrial backgrounds.

A pivotal aspect of their collaboration is the establishment of an open supply chain, ensuring 100% traceability of recycled materials. As the European Union mandates the collection of textile waste by 2025, this partnership strives to implement scalable systems and collaborations to manage collected waste effectively, thereby preventing landfilling and incineration.

Committed to Sustainability

Reju is dedicated to establishing large-scale textile waste processing and regeneration infrastructure, starting with polyester. It is anticipated that Reju Polyester™ will have a carbon footprint that is 50% lower than virgin polyester and will be infinitely regenerable. The first demonstration facility, dubbed Regeneration Hub Zero, is already operational in Frankfurt, Germany, with plans to commence the production of Reju PET in 2025.

Materials sourced from NFT will be processed at Reju's Regeneration Center Zero and future centers across Europe. This collaborative effort brings together advanced recycling technologies and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions within the textile industry.

Innovative Recycling Solutions

NFT, along with its partners, established a unique semi-industrial complex and research center for textile recycling in November 2023. Their pilot line uniquely combines automated sorting technologies from Pellenc ST with shredding lines from Andritz to process significant quantities of post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste. This innovative setup allows for the removal of hard contaminants and transforms waste into industrial fibers and raw materials suitable for new recycling technologies like those employed by Reju.

NFT currently supplies secondary raw materials for various industries, including nonwoven fabrics, insulation, composites, plastics, and textiles. Their technology enables the automated sorting of clothing by composition and color while effectively handling contaminants in textile waste.

Vision for a Circular Economy

Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaborative effort, stating, “This partnership exemplifies our shared commitment to tackling textile waste by innovating recycling practices within local supply chains.” He underscored the necessity for scalable systems that promote recycling while enhancing sustainability in the textile sector.

Similarly, NFT co-managers Eric Boël and Etienne Wiroth highlighted their readiness to work with professionals seeking textile recycling solutions after six years of research. They affirm that their turnkey solution transforms heterogeneous textile streams into high-quality, traceable raw materials, which is essential for moving towards a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Looking to the Future

This partnership not only aims to reduce textile waste but also aspires to instill a sense of accountability in consumer behavior regarding textile disposal. With a vision of a circular economy, Reju and NFT are trailblazing paths toward sustainable textile recycling practices within Europe, setting a benchmark for the industry.

For further insights into Reju’s innovative recycling measures and ongoing projects, visit Reju's website.

By integrating groundbreaking recycling technologies and sustainable practices, Reju and NFT are presenting a more responsible and eco-friendly way of managing textile waste, transforming challenges into opportunities for a greener future.