Textile recycling process makes fashion from cellulose

The process produces soft, recyclable fabric from cardboard, agricultural waste, and textile waste

Spotted: Finland’s Infinited Fiber Company is receiving strong interest in its 100 per cent recycled, recyclable fabric Infinna. The company was created to close the loop in fashion and make textile circularity an everyday aspect of an industry that currently contributes 10 per cent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions.

Infinna is made from post-consumer and manufacturing waste including clothing, agriculture waste, used cardboard, and more. Anything made from cellulose, a naturally occurring molecule found in plants, can be put through Infinited Fiber’s recycling process and reused.

The seven-step recycling process removes impurities and other materials from the cellulose, including buttons, zippers, polyester, and chemical dyes. After a series of washes, the cleaned and separated cellulose is wet spun into a new fibre. The wet spinning process is identical to the way in which viscose production is currently run, meaning that retrofitting existing factories will be quick and easy and will not require specialist equipment and knowledge. The entire process is toxin-free, and the final fabrics feel like cotton.

The company has already produced denim, French terry, single jersey, and lightweight shirt fabrics, as well as material for homeware products such as face and body wipes and diapers. The latest company to start using Infinna is Danish brand Ganni. The Infinited Fibre team encourages interested organisations to get in touch to discuss possibilities for other collaborations and to consider buying the manufacturing process for in-house use.

Just as recycled plastic has begun taking its place in homes, businesses and closets as new types of soft furnishings, furniture, uniforms and other clothing, recycled textiles and newly softened versions of hemp fabrics could begin to replace materials like bamboo, linen and cotton.