#Paris #France #Reju #Nouvelles Fibres Textiles #Recycled Polyester

Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

In the latest move towards a greener future, Reju™, a pioneering company in textile regeneration, has teamed up with Nouvelles Fibres Textiles (NFT), a specialist in textile waste recovery in France. Together, they aim to create a comprehensive circular textile ecosystem that focuses on efficiently sourcing and recycling textile waste.

Strengthening the Circular Economy

The partnership will see NFT contribute secondary raw materials sourced from both used and unused textile waste to Reju, which will utilize these materials to produce its innovative Reju Polyester™. This collaboration is a significant step forward in expanding the infrastructure dedicated to the collection and processing of textile waste that originates from both post-consumer and post-industrial sources.

One of the primary goals is to establish an open supply chain that guarantees full traceability of the recycled materials, enhancing transparency in the recycling process. By integrating NFT's expertise in textile recovery with Reju's advanced recycling technology, the partnership seeks to revolutionize the way textile waste is handled in France.

Cutting Edge Technology and Environmental Impact

Reju is committed to developing large-scale infrastructure to transform textile waste, starting with polyester fibers. The end product, Reju Polyester™, is designed to have a carbon footprint that is 50% lower than that of virgin polyester and is capable of being regenerated infinitely. Their first demonstration facility, the Regeneration Hub Zero, is now operational in Frankfurt, Germany, and is poised to start producing Reju PET by 2025.

The materials sourced from NFT will be processed at this facility and in future Reju Regeneration Hubs throughout Europe. This collaborative effort signifies a major stride toward a sustainable solution for the pressing issue of textile waste.

Innovative Approaches to Textile Recycling

In a groundbreaking advancement, NFT launched a semi-industrial site and research center dedicated to textile recycling in November 2023. This innovative facility integrates Pellenc ST's automated sorting technologies with Andritz's tearing lines, allowing for high-volume processing of textile waste. By effectively eliminating hard points in the textile recovery process, the facility turns waste into quality fibers that can be utilized in the production of various industrial materials.

NFT's technology not only addresses the challenge of textile waste but also provides secondary raw materials to diverse industries, including non-wovens, insulation, composite materials, and plastics. This holistic approach reinforces the importance of collaboration among different sectors to achieve broader sustainability goals.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, emphasized the value of this partnership, stating, "Reju and Nouvelles Fibres Textiles are using innovation and collaboration to accelerate the transition to a circular textile ecosystem. This valuable partnership demonstrates our collective commitment to addressing the problem of textile waste and developing new ways to use the resources we have within local supply chains."

As the European Union mandates the collection of textile waste starting in 2025, the urgency for scalable systems and partnerships has never been more critical. The collaboration between Reju and NFT aims to promote sustainable practices in the textile industry and minimize waste destined for landfills or incineration.

Eric Boël and Etienne Wiroth, Co-directors of NFT, noted, "After six years of research and collaborative work, Nouvelles Fibres Textiles is now prepared to engage with professionals requiring textile recycling services. Our innovative turnkey solution transforms heterogeneous end-of-life textile streams into high-quality, uniform raw materials while ensuring complete traceability."

They further asserted that this partnership has laid the groundwork for a cyclical, more localized, less carbon-intensive, and collaborative textile industry, embodying their commitment to doing good for the planet.

Conclusion

This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the textile industry in France and beyond, as Reju and NFT work together to not only tackle textile waste but also to inspire other industries to adopt similar circular approaches. As they invest in the technology and infrastructure necessary for recycling and reusing materials, they are paving the way for a sustainable future that prioritizes environmental responsibility and resource efficiency.