Transforming the industry, Finnish textile innovation company, Spinnova has introduced a sustainable alternative to cotton: a 100 per cent recyclable cellulose fiber. This new technology not only helps significantly reduce the industry’s environmental impactbut also lowers its dependence on cotton by providing a groundbreaking option for eco-friendly textiles.
After nearly a decade of research, Spinnova has pioneered a unique method of producing textile fiber from wood pulp or waste pulp through a mechanical, chemical-free process. This avoids harmful chemicals or dissolution, making it suitable for large-scale production, explained Shahriare Mahmood, Chief Product and Sustainability Officer, Spinnova at a seminar in Dhaka. The company aims to price the fiber competitively and target the organic cotton market segment, he added, emphasising it could eventually substitute cotton, whose production has declined amid climate challenges even as demand rises.
Spinnova's innovation has attracted the interest of the denim industry, with Bangladeshi textile mill NZ Denim incorporating the fiber into its denim production over the past two and a half years. A challenging application, denim requires specific aesthetics, and the Spinnova fiber has proven to be a suitable replacement, retaining the look and feel of natural fibers like cotton and linen, Mahmood highlighted.
The fiber offers absorption properties similar to natural cellulosic fibers and can be blended with other materials. It also boasts higher thermal resistance than cotton, as verified by lab tests. Notably, global sportswear brand Adidas recently launched hoodies using Spinnova fibers, further validating its potential in high-performance textiles.
Lasse Holopainen, Chief Revenue Officer, Spinnova, noted, the minimum production capacity for a Spinnova fiber plant is at least 50 tons per day, which provides ample opportunity for its large-scale adoption. Given Bangladesh’s position as the second-largest apparel exporter, it is ideally positioned to adopt Spinnova’s technology as brands increase their focus on recycled and eco-friendly materials.
Organised by SAS Enterprise in collaboration with Spinnova, the Dhaka seminar focused on exploring sustainable textile solutions. Mahmood presented Spinnova’s fiber production process, which uses Kraft pulp and a dry spinning technique, requiring no water or chemicals.
In his welcome speech, Rajibul Huq Chowdhury, Managing Director, Aziz Group, emphasised the significance of sustainable practices for the textile sector’s future. A Matin Chowdhury, Managing Director, New Asia Group, underscored the need for innovative solutions to meet global demand sustainably.
During a panel discussion moderated by Ayub Nabi Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology, Saleudh Zaman Khan, Managing Director, NZ Tex Group, discussed the practical applications of sustainable fibers in Bangladesh, highlighting the prospects and challenges in the country's textile sector.
