[pageLogInLogOut]

#Yarn & Fiber

Polyester, "fibre to fibre" recycling: it can be done!

© 2023 Radici Group
This is an ambitious research & development project, built step by step, which demonstrates the feasibility of polyester "fibre to fibre" recycling. It started with Sportstex, a company specialized in the production of sportswear, and RadiciGroup, a Group with many years of experience in circular economy, wishing to collaborate for the recovery of polyester textile waste such as uniforms for football, volleyball and other sports.

From upstream to downstream, circularity in textiles is feasible. With no compromise on the quality and technical performance of the products.

The involvement of Pure Loop, a company specialized in recovery machinery, was immediate, with the aim of identifying the best available technology to obtain a new textile fibre. To reach this goal, the R&D teams of the three companies carried out various tests to achieve a recycled textile product with high technical features. An initial result was obtained using a mixed recovery technique, "dosing" variable percentages of granules from recycled bottles (a more than consolidated practice at RadiciGroup) together with polyester granules from recycled fabrics. This experience allowed to gradually fine-tune the processes and to achieve, at the end, a yarn 100% derived from the recovery of textile waste.

Once scaled-up, this virtuous circularity system will make it possible to easily produce recycled polyester garments that, at the end of their life, can be recovered again. Shimano was the first company to embrace this sustainability project branding the first jersey coming from this supply chain collaboration. A cycling jersey made with this process will be on display for the first time at ITMA, the most important international trade fair for textile and clothing technology, scheduled in Milan from 8 to 14 June 2023, in the booth of one of project partner companies (Booth Pure Loop H9/D304).


The research project has highlighted a new recycling way, which allows to obtain quality polyester fibres starting, for example, from pre-owned clothes, for a textile "Closed Loop".

Moreover, Erdotex, a company specialized in the sorting of used garments, will support the project. Thanks to specific "sorting" procedures, Erdotex will make it possible to feed this innovative recycling process, with the ambition of developing a real industrial process.

«Achieving increasingly sustainable textiles is at the heart of the strategy of Radici InNova, the RadiciGroup company focused on innovation for circularity – underlines Gianni Todaro, R&D Specialist Apparel and Technical, RadiciGroup Advanced Textile Solutions – For some time now, we have been designing innovative solutions with high technical performance that respect the environment, working in synergy with our customers and suppliers and sharing our knowledge in the recovery of textile waste».


More News from Radici Partecipazioni SpA

#Recycled_Fibers

Recycling mixed-fibre garments becomes a reality: RadiciGroup, The LYCRA Company and Triumph take circular fashion a step forward

The process, which is both economically and environmentally sustainable, has enabled the production of an underwear set made from 100% recycled nylon and LYCRA® fibre in a closed-loop system.

#Sustainability

RadiciGroup: 21st Sustainability Report published

RadiciGroup has published its 21st Sustainability Report, covering the year 2024, confirming more than two decades of transparency and measurement in the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. From its first Social Report in 2004 to the current reporting aligned with the GRI Universal Standards, the Group is now preparing for its next challenge: the adoption of the criteria that will be set out by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

#Recycling / Circular Economy

RadiciGroup and Ferragamo team up for an eco-design project under the Monitor for Circular Fashion initiative

RadiciGroup, a leading player in sustainable textile solutions, has partnered with Ferragamo to develop “Nova – The evolution of a Star”, an eco-design project that reimagines one of the Maison’s iconic handbags through the lens of circularity.

#Yarn & Fiber

Twenty years of Sustainability Report for RadiciGroup

The RadiciGroup Sustainability Report reaches an important milestone this year: twenty years have in fact passed since the Group published its first Social Report in 2004, qualifying it as one of the pioneering companies in the realisation of voluntary non-financial reporting. The document measures the Group’s achievements and the actions it has taken to reduce its environmental impact, respect social values, and implement good business management practices.

More News on Yarn & Fiber

#Yarns

B.I.G. Yarns achieves EcoVadis Platinum Rating, ranking among top 1% of companies worldwide

B.I.G. Yarns, the carpet yarn brand of B.I.G. and a leading manufacturer of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) yarns for contract, automotive, and high-end residential applications, has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of more than 130.000 companies assessed globally.

#Heimtextil 2026

Eastman Naia™ expands All-Night Comfort at Heimtextil 2026

New fill solutions and the debut of sleepwear highlight the versatility and performance of Naia™ Renew, its circular fiber, for home textile applications.

#Heimtextil 2026

Stability in volatile markets: Heimtextil 2026 launches with 3,000 exhibitors and design expertise from Patricia Urquiola

Heimtextil opens the new season with 3,000 exhibitors from 66 countries – maintaining stability while becoming even more international. The new hall layout increases visibility and connects supply and demand even more efficiently. At the opening, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola and Rosa Bertoli, Global Design Director of Wallpaper magazine, talk about AI, innovative materials and future-oriented design for modern living environments.

#Yarns

January 2026 marks Asahi Kasei’s restart of Bemberg production in restored sections of the Nobeoka facility

Beginning January 2026, production at the Asahi Kasei Nobeoka facility – Bemberg’s only production site – will gradually resume, marking a new chapter following the partial shutdown caused by the April 2022 incident. This progress is the result of significant investments and continuous work toreinforce safety measures, restore full operational capacity, and establish long- term stability.

Latest News

#Knitting & Hosiery

Terrot introduces T-Frame platform to redefine stability and flexibility in large-diameter circular knitting

Terrot Textilmaschinen GmbH has unveiled the new T-Frame, a universal machine frame platform for large-diameter circular knitting machines. Designed to meet growing demands for flexibility, stability, and operational safety, the T-Frame provides a next-generation foundation for both current and future industrial knitting machines, combining German engineering expertise with a modular, future-ready design approach.

#Business

Canopy introduces a first-of-its-kind $2 billion USD investment blueprint to decarbonize global materials supply chains

Today, the global, solutions-driven not-for-profit Canopy joined partners at Davos to introduce a new finance model designed to accelerate the growth of low-carbon materials and transform the paper, packaging, and textile supply chains. The event was anchored by a keynote speech from Sri A Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, with India set to host the first iteration of the new investment blueprint.

#Yarns

Biella Yarn launches Collection “Reimagined” for Spring/Summer 2027 with fresh approach to fibre design

Biella Yarn, the flat knitting brand of Suedwolle Group, introduces its Spring/Summer 2027 collection “Reimagined” featuring refined yarn blends and advanced spinning technologies designed for contemporary summer knitwear. Under the motto “And the story goes on…”, Biella Yarn continues to push the boundaries of responsible yarn development, offering versatile materials that elevate modern craftsmanship.

#Recycled_Fibers

Circular progress: Trevira® CS Eco fabrics can now be made using textile-recycled, permanently flame-retardant fibers and yarns

Indorama Ventures, a global sustainable chemical company, takes an important next step toward making textiles more circular for homes and public spaces. To support fabric makers in creating a more sustainable version of the well-known flame-retardant Trevira CS fabric, the company now offers Trevira® flame-retardant fibers and filament yarns that contain 50% recycled textile material. First customers were introduced to the new offering during Heimtextil trade show mid-January in Frankfurt, Germany.

TOP