The ITMA 2023 motto “Transforming the World of Textiles” is excellently chosen, as the upcoming European Union (EU) directives as part of the EU textile vision 2030 set a framework for driving positive change and creating a more sustainable and resilient textile sector within the European Union. The textile industry will look for new sustainable solutions and new business models. New fibres, using textile waste as raw material, are being developed and brought into the markets. This is especially true for Scandinavia with its long history of paper production. This industry has fostered a deep understanding of pulp processing techniques, equipment, and technologies. The extensive knowledge in pulp processing has given the region a head start and empty paper mills have offered space where discarded textiles are given a new life. 

One of the frontrunners in the new textile recycling development and the first for industrial scale up of production is Renewcell from Sweden. Founded by innovators from Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2012, the award-winning, Sweden-based sustaintech company’s vision is to make fashion circular. Through its patented process, Renewcell is able to recycle cellulosic rich textile waste, such as worn-out cotton clothes and production scraps, transforming it into a pristine new material called CIRCULOSE® which is then processed to fibers and spun into new yarn for textile production. Inovafil in Portugal is one of these spinners since the early stages of commercialization. 

Inovafil Fiação, S.A. spinning mill was founded in 2011 in Portugal. The company’s CEO Rui Martins is convinced that circular textile fashion can only be achieved with collaboration in all process steps. Therefore, he set up a platform to promote partnerships for closed loop textile projects and to generate groundbreaking ideas for new textile applications.  Inovafil has been a Saurer customer from early on, trusting Saurer’s Autocoro rotor spinning machine for recycled fibers.

For decades, sustainability has been an important part of Saurer's vision for the future. As the only manufacturer of spinning machinery for all five end-spinning application for staple fiber, Saurer is today already prepared for processing recycled and regenerated fibers. When Saurer launched the new air-spinning machines Autoairo for field tests, Saurer relied on Inovafil’s expertise for the continuous development, and was shipping one of the very first machines to Inovafil.  Recognising the potential for highest processing efficiency, Inovafil was spinning viscose made from CIRCULOSE® successfully on Autoairo.  

When the team from Inovafil, Renewcell and Saurer met to share ideas, the ITMA Milano quickly was chosen as the right stage for showing the potential of the new sustainable fiber. Thanks to Renewcell’s kind support and the excellent fiber preparation of Inovafil, the visitors at ITMA can see CIRCULOSE® being spun daily on the air- and rotor-spinning machines, and on selected days on the ring-spinning machine as well. Renewcell has proven over and over again with its partners that CIRCULOSE® is suited for a multitude of textile applications. Saurer is grateful for the opportunity to show the flexibility of the fiber on its spinning portfolio, recognising again what a great source of inspiration our innovative customers are.  

Saurer Group 
Pia Terasa | VP Marketing & Communications | pia.terasa@saurer.com 

Inovafil Fiação, S.A 
Tania Braga | Marketing & Communication | marketing@inovafil.pt 

Renewcell 
Tricia Carey | Chief Commercial Officer | tricia.carey@renewcell.com 

About Saurer Group 
The Saurer Group, founded in 1853, is a leading, globally active technology company with a focus on machines and components for yarn production. As a company with a long tradition, we have always been an innovation leader. Today, the group is a solution provider for the textile industry consisting of two segments. Spinning Solutions offers high-quality, technologically advanced and customer-specific automated solutions for staple fibre processing from bale to yarn. Saurer Technologies specialises in intelligent and economical twisting and cabling machines for tire cord, carpet, staple fibre, glass filament and industrial yarns, which allow customers to adapt flexibly to dynamic market requirements. Automation Solutions provides textile mills with an array of labour-saving systems. With locations in Switzerland, Germany, France, the UK, Czech Republic, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, the USA, China, India, Uzbekistan, and Singapore, is well equipped to serve the world’s textile centres. www.saurer.com. 

About Inovafil 
Inovafil Fiação, S.A., a spinning mill, was established in 2011, and its production facilities have been located in Vila Nova de Famalicão since 2014. With a workforce of 120 employees, Inovafil specializes in producing high-quality yarns for fashion, home, shirting, and technical textiles. The company employs advanced technology and tightly controlled production processes to foster innovation and surpass market expectations. One of its primary focuses is the development of technical yarns that provide functional and performance advantages, along with the production of yarns that embrace principles of circularity and sustainability. www.inovafil.pt

About Renewcell 
Re:NewCell AB (publ) (“Renewcell”) developed a patented process that enables the recycling of cellulosic textile waste, such as worn-out cotton clothes and production scraps, transforming it into a pristine new material called CIRCULOSE^®. Founded by innovators from Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2012, the award-winning, Sweden-based sustaintech company’s vision is to make fashion circular. Through its patented process, Renewcell is able to recycle cellulosic textile waste, such as worn-out cotton clothes and production scraps, transforming it into a pristine new material called CIRCULOSE^®. 

Fast Company named Renewcell one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021, as well as World Changing Idea in 2023. CIRCULOSE^® was also included on TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 Best Inventions 2020.  Renewcell is a publicly listed company with shares traded on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market with the ticker name RENEW and ISIN code SE0014960431. FNCA Sweden AB is Certified Adviser, +46(0)8-528 00 399, info@fnca.se. www.renewcell.com