The recycled textile-fibre paper materials

Important results from the project

This project has successfully demonstrated the possibility to connect the textiles and paper industries through production of a new class of textile-like materials consisting of a mixture of forest based cellulose and recycled textile fibres. Moreover, the demonstration materials were produced under industrially relevant conditions, i.e. TRL6. The materials produced were shown to have a unique set of properties making them attractive to a broad range of industrial applications and at the same time demonstrate new uses for waste textile fibres.

Expected long term effects

The main result from the project was a demonstration of the possibility to produce new materials, consisting of forest and recycled textile fibres, with existing papermaking infrastructure. This result has the effect of improving textiles sustainability through re-use of unwanted textile fibres and integration of sustainably sourced forest based cellulose into traditional textile products, which today use largely cotton and/or oil based fibres. The project also introduces potentially new market segments to the papermaking industry.

Approach and implementation

This project was implemented in three parts. First, a pre-study was performed where laboratory sheets were produced consisting of different ratios recycled textile and papermaking fibres in order to demonstrate proof of concept. The main activity consisted of pilot scale production trials where textile like materials were produced in large volume and under industrially relevant conditions. In the third part of this project, the material properties were evaluated and compared with market equivalents. These included strength, softness and hand-feel amongst others.