Innovation

CelluCircle has developed a unique eco-friendly process for recycling post-consumer textiles in mass volume. The process recycles the feedstock of almost all material blends and colours. It transforms discarded cotton textiles into nanocellulose while recovering synthetic fibres like polyester with a highly efficient one-step fractionation process. This innovative, green, scalable and sustainable approach eliminates the need for complex and costly multi-step processes.

Unlike traditional recycling methods, which are inefficient and often cause secondary pollution, this water-based, low-temperature system uses mild chemicals to recycle mixed fibre textiles. This in turn addresses a major global challenge.

With the potential for global scalability, CelluCircle's solution not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates new opportunities in sectors like 3D printing and manufacturing as their recycled and biobased composites can soon replace fossil-based plastics actively used in those types of industries.

Inspiration

The inspiration for CelluCircle’s innovation came from the urgent need to address the environmental damage caused by the textile industry, which generates immense waste and pollution. Its co-founder Sahar Sultan, driven by her background in nanotechnology and materials science, realized a significant gap in textile recycling. She noticed a gap in particular wtih the challenge of recycling mixed fibre blends like polycotton. Polycotton is often discarded due to its recycling complexity. Sahar’s research at Stockholm University, alongside Aji Mathew, led them to explore how nanocellulose could be extracted from waste cotton and how synthetic fibres could be recovered in an environmentally friendly manner.

This innovation was driven by two major incentives to promote a circular economy in the textile industry and to reduce its environmental footprint. Traditional recycling methods more often than not are inefficient and generate pollutants during the process. CelluCircle's goal was to create a scalable solution that could effectively recycle textiles without emitting pollutants. Through their innovative design kick-off, the company aims to reduce the industry's reliance on virgin resources, lower carbon emissions, and minimise the anthropogenic impact.

Overall impact

CelluCircle's innovative design has made it from a lab-scale process to an upscale value proposition in sustainable textile recycling. This is a major impact in the industry development. The textiles can now be repurposed and upcycled without the need for constituent separation which makes the whole process more straightforward.

By facilitating the recycling and repurposing of textiles, CelluCircle directly addresses SDG 12 by promoting sustainable resource use and minimizing waste throughout the textile lifecycle. The company’s technology encourages responsible production practices while ensuring that valuable resources are reintroduced into the economy instead of ending up in landfills.

In alignment with SDG 13, CelluCircle contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of the textile industry by cutting CO2 emissions associated with the production of new materials. This eco-friendly process minimizes resource extraction and energy-intensive manufacturing, positioning CelluCircle as a vital player in the transition toward a more sustainable and circular economy.

Business benefit

The company has raised substantial funding through various investment rounds, which allowed it to expand operations and scale its solution for textile recycling. CelluCircle is now engaging with a variety of stakeholders, including fashion brands and manufacturers looking to adopt sustainable practices, thereby opening new markets for eco-friendly products. The innovative process has also led to the development of new products and services, such as nanocellulose-based materials for applications beyond textiles, like 3D printing.

Moreover, the company's commitment to sustainability has attracted new investment opportunities, as more investors are prioritizing environmentally responsible businesses. Overall, these benefits are contributing to CelluCircle’s growth making it a central player in the sustainable textile industry.

Watch video on YouTube

Social and environmental benefit

On a societal level, the innovation promotes awareness of textile waste and encourages sustainable practices among consumers and businesses. By providing a solution for recycling complex textile blends, CelluCircle helps to foster a circular economy, empowering communities to take part in responsible consumption.

Environmentally, the innovation contributes to reducing landfill waste and CO2 emissions, addressing two critical issues associated with the textile industry. In the short term, the innovation allows for efficient recycling of textile waste, while the long-term effects reside in a significant decrease in the need for virgin resources and a shift toward sustainable manufacturing practices.

Interview

Markus Åkerstetd, Board Member