Renewcell successfully creates industrial-scale viscose filament yarn using 100% Circulose®

Swedish recycling firm, Renewcell, has successfully used 100% Circulose® dissolving pulp in industrial-scale viscose filament yarn manufacturing in partnership with Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation, a leading Chinese viscose filament yarn maker.

While Circulose® viscose staple fibers have been commercially available since 2019, the filament development opens up new product sectors for Circulose® fibers in activewear, as a polyester filament substitute, and in luxury as a silk substitute.

Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation (‘Yibin’), a CanopyStyle “Green Shirt” listed viscose staple fiber and viscose filament yarn producer situated in China, has certified Circulose® pulp for use in industrial-scale viscose filament yarn production at a 100% concentration.

According to Chinese National Standards GB/T 13758-2008, the quality of Yibin’s yarn made from 100 percent Circulose® in December 2021 exceeds “Superior Grade.” This is the first time that virgin quality viscose filament yarn manufactured entirely from recycled textiles has been produced on an industrial scale. Ekman Group, Renewcell’s exclusive trading partner, negotiated the new business agreement with Yibin.

Deng Min, President of Yibin Grace Group Co. Ltd. and Yibin Hiest Fiber Limited Corporation, said that their relationship with Renewcell and Ekman is an exciting and giant milestone. A notable addition to their Made in Green product offering is Circulose® filament yarn made from 100 percent recycled textile waste. In the textile sector, there is a growing awareness of the need for more sustainable materials. He is confident that by pooling their skills and knowledge, they can lower their carbon footprint and get closer to their lofty objective of making fashion a closed loop.

In collaboration with the German research organization Fraunhofer, the development follows the successful lab-scale manufacturing of 100% Circulose® filament yarn in 2020.

Patrik Lundström, CEO of Renewcell that he is delighted to add filament yarn to the Circulose® commercial line. He is also pleased by Yibin’s ability to innovate and is excited to expand their partnership and begin selling Circulose® filament yarn to brand partners in 2022. As part of Renewcell’s mission to make fashion circular, they will continue to collaborate with leading partners to demonstrate the use of Circulose® in various textile applications.