#Recycling / Circular Economy

2024-10-24

First tests for pilot plant for chemical recycling of textiles successful

Ence and the Swedish start-up ShareTex have successfully conducted the first tests of textile chemical recycling through an innovative technology that does not require high pressure, temperature, nor does it use toxic solvents.

This technology will be verified in the pilot plant that Ence and ShareTex are going to launch in the town of As Pontes in A Coruña and will allow the manufacture of recycled textile fibres.

Within the framework of these tests, a process has been addressed that makes it possible to recover a wider range of products than traditional mechanical recycling, including those whose composition presents a mixture of components (as is the case in most textile products), integrating them back into the textile value chain or into high added value products.

The start-up of the pilot textile waste recycling plant in As Pontes is a strategic project for Ence, as it is in line with the company’s commitment to minimising the use of natural resources, as well as a key project in ShareTex’s strategy to commercialise its technology.

Likewise, the Consorcio Galego para a Reciclaxe Química de Téxtiles Posconsumo (Galician Consortium for the Chemical Recycling of Post-consumer Textiles) is being set up with the main objective of promoting research activity in the field of sustainable recycling technology in Galicia.

This institution is made up of, among others, the Swedish startup ShareTex, Ence, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies of the University of Santiago de Compostela (CRETUS), the EQ2 group of the University of Vigo, the University of La Coruña, CETIM Technological Centre, AIMEN Technological Centre and the textile recycling companies Insertega and Coleo.

Ence in As Pontes

Ence will carry out an investment of up to 355 million in the implementation of the three phases of its overall project in As Pontes, a project that will generate about 1,250 jobs.

With regard to these phases, the first will involve the implementation of a recovered fibre plant which includes the pilot plant for the recovery of textile fibres, the second includes a cogeneration plant of 150 MW of thermal power and about 50 MW of electrical power and the third, a tissue plant.

Reju secures €135 Million in Dutch NIKI Funding for industrial-scale textile-to-textile regeneration hub at Chemelot Industrial Park, the Netherlands

Reju™, the progressive textile-to-textile regeneration company, has been awarded €135 million in funding under the Netherlands’ Nationale Investeringsregeling Klimaatprojecten Industrie (NIKI) program. The funding will support Reju’s planned industrial-scale Regeneration Hub at Chemelot Industrial Park in Sittard-Geleen, covering both the investment phase and ongoing operations, and represents a critical milestone on the path toward final investment decision.

eeden is now a Canopy partner

eeden is committed to enable circular textiles by developing recycling technologies that turn textile waste into valuable raw materials. But the commitment goes further – eeden advocates for supply chain solutions that uphold responsible environmental and ethical standards, protecting global ecosystems including Ancient and Endangered Forests.

Carbios confirms Longlaville plant in France following financing progress

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New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.