Resilient domestic industrial production through feedstock from chemically recycled textile waste

Purpose and goal

The aim is to establish the technical and commercial prerequisites for large-scale recycling of used textiles into high-value nanocomposites and fibers. The goal is to design, build and operate a pilot plant and to validate the material with customers based on their demands for obtaining market reliability and be prepared for the next step towards full-scale production.

Expected effects and result

The project is expected to result in a pilot plant that will enable the recycling of textile waste on an industrial scale. The material will be validated with industrial partners and replace fossil inputs. The effect will be reduced textile waste and carbon footprint, strengthened domestic raw material supply and increased resilience for Swedish industry, with the potential to recycle up to 30,000 tons of textile per year after pilot confirmation.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is implemented in five work packages: design and pre-testing of a pilot reactor, construction and operation, customer validation, post-processing and handling of recycled textile waste. The work is led by CelluCircle in collaboration with industry partners and research institutes. The pilot plant will be built in Nykvarn with Telge and testing will be done in collaboration with RISE and customers such as IKEA, Stadium and Lindex which will provide specific product requirements.