ABB will deliver automation, electrification, quality control systems, motors and drives for Renewcell?s new industrial textile recycling production line in Sundsvall, Sweden. Renewcell is a fast-growing Swedish sustaintech company specialising in textile-to-textile recycling.
With ABB technology, a former SCA paper mill will be transformed into the world?s first commercial-scale recycling plant for cellulosic textiles ? created by dissolving natural materials such as cellulose which is then regenerated to create a wide range of fabrics. Renewcell is already working with several fashion manufacturers, and in 2020, the company and H&M Group entered a multi-year partnership to replace virgin fibers with recycled textiles in clothing. The contract between ABB and Renewcell marks an important milestone for the fashion industry, as it has a major impact on the environment due to the production of raw materials that are made into clothing. According to Renewcell?s preliminary calculations, textile fibres made from its recycled raw material use approximately 50 litres of fresh water per kg in production, compared to around 1,600 litres for cotton and 90 litres for non-cotton cellulosic material viscose. With a maximum production capacity of 60,000 tons per year Renewcell?s innovative approach could help to preserve around 90 billion litres of fresh water, the equivalent of 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The process also lowers waste, plastic pollution and both CO? and ch...