Lindex partners with Södra to adopt its ‘sustainable’ cellulose-based fiber

Swedish retailer, Lindex has teamed up with native forestry group Södra to adopt its new viscose fiber based on OnceMore® – a unique, innovative process for large-scale textile recycling of blended materials. The collaboration with Södra, the creators of OnceMore, is a significant milestone in Lindex’s transition to a more sustainable and circular range made from recycled textiles.

Annette Tenstam, Strategic Lead Circularity & Environmental Sustainability, at Lindex, said that at Lindex, part of their circular transformation involves material selection and lowering their effect and reliance on natural resources. Their collaboration with OnceMore is a key milestone in their circular transformation, which aims to boost material reuse while decreasing the consumption of new raw materials. Today, there are significant barriers to large-scale textile recycling, and OnceMore is a key facilitator. ‘Through their partnership, they can contribute to a more sustainable textile sector while progressing on their circular journey and lowering their environmental footprint.

OnceMore is the world’s first large-scale procedure for recycling textiles made of mixed materials, and Södra, Sweden’s largest forest owners organization with 52 000 members, is behind the concept. The method blends recovered cloth with wood fibers from Swedish family woods to produce a clean and high-quality dissolving pulp. Because of the massive size of the process, Lindex can make around one million garments with the new fiber, which is based on OnceMore and is an alternative to the more sustainable viscose Lindex has been using for some time. The clothing will be offered in Lindex’s collection beginning in early 2023.

Lotta Lyrå, CEO at Södra, said that with OnceMore®, Södra has invented a one-of-a-kind solution for incorporating textile into the circular bioeconomy. The combination of recycled textile and renewable raw material from more sustainably managed family forests results in a product that has the potential to revolutionize the textile industry, and with a million OnceMore-based garments, they’re taking an essential step forward. They’re delighted to be working with Lindex on this. They can make a difference if they work together.

The collaboration with OnceMore is consistent with Lindex’s sustainability pledge – to make a difference for future generations – where one of the fashion company’s aims is for 100% of Lindex’s materials to be recycled or sustainably sourced by 2025.