Xylem, a global water technology firm, recently announced that it would supply a containerized Wedeco ozone plant to Renewcell in Sundsvall, Sweden, to support its dissolving pulp mill. Renewcell's latest mill, which is set to open in 2022, will recycle clothing waste including cotton clothes to generate 60,000 tonnes of Circulose® dissolving pulp each year.

Circulose® is a natural synthetic fiber made from cellulose recovered from old textiles that is an ideal replacement for cotton and non-biodegradable oil-based fabrics like polyester. Its usage in garment production decreases the textile industry's effect on water, land, and other natural resources because it is a renewable fiber.

The new mill will use Xylem's Wedeco ozone technology to manufacture dissolving pulp with minimal chemicals while still adhering to the strictest local environmental regulations. The Wedeco ozone device is designed and tested in Germany at Xylem's Herford facility to meet the highest industry requirements while maintaining low operational costs.

Renewcell selected a containerized Wedeco plant with a daily production of 2.9 tonnes of ozone (120 kg O3/h). Wedeco's technology provides maximum ozone capability in less than 2 minutes from start-up and changes ozone supply automatically based on demand. In addition, the solution allows for precise ozone dosing to aid in the flexible pulp bleaching process.

Wedeco's containerized, plug-and-play ozone plant is designed to endure harsh winter conditions while maintaining a small footprint and fast commissioning.

COO at Renewcell, Martin Stenfors, said they choose Xylem as their supplier because of their deep expertise in the manufacture of dissolving pulp, as well as the high quality that the Wedeco method, which was developed and tested in Germany, would provide. Furthermore, the containerized device would cut Ortviken's construction and engineering time, as well as potential capacity ramp-up times.

Global pulp and paper key account manager, Alexis Métais, said they’re pleased to collaborate with Renewcell on its creative approach, which promotes a circular textile economy and adds value to unwanted clothing. The Wedeco ozone system from Xylem is an important part of any clean cellulose purification procedure, providing superior environmental efficiency at a low cost of service. They're working with their consumers to build a cleaner, more prosperous future for all by incorporating the best solutions that comply with local environmental legislation.