The forest and wood products industry could soon find new income streams through its potential role as a key supplier to global textile giants.
Efforts to upscale the production of a sustainable fibre created using renewable forest materials have received a €35 million investment, thanks to a collaboration between H&M, IKEA and more.
The companies have joined forces in new venture called TreeToTextile, which aims to commercialise technology with the capability of producing a new biobased fibre, with a low environmental footprint and at an affordable cost.
In the face of ever-growing global demand, the ultimate aim is to make sustainable textile fibres available to all.
The technology uses an innovative chemical process to regenerate cellulose into a textile fibre by spinning the dissolving pulp. It is a process designed to use less energy, chemicals and water, compared to the production of conventional fibres. In addition, the chemicals involved can be re-used, supporting the advancement of a circular economy.
“Our technology has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of the textile industry significantly,” said Sigrid Barnekow, CEO at TreeToTextile.
“With our owners’ support, innovative agendas, know-how, and size, we assess that TreeToTextile can play an important contributing part globally, in enabling the textile industry to become sustainable and circular.”
The investment will support construction of a demonstration plant in southern Sweden, where work to upscale the technology will be conducted. Construction is scheduled to take place in the coming months, and once operational will seek to utilise inputs sourced only from certified, sustainably managed forests.
“The key to creating real change is cooperation. We are a young organisation and at the beginning of our operations, but by investing in a demonstration plant, we are finally on the go,” said Roxana Barbieru, Chairwoman of TreeToTextile.
“With it we are turning years of R&D into reality to increase the biobased share on the textile market to support climate action.”
