NewNormal · Project

Turning Textile Waste Into Cotton-Like Fiber at Industrial Scale

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7

Imagine taking your old worn-out clothes, dissolving them, and spinning them back into brand-new fiber that feels just like cotton. That's exactly what this Finnish company figured out how to do. They built a pilot factory that turns textile waste into a cellulose-based fiber — no hazardous chemicals like viscose, no massive water use like cotton, no microplastics like polyester. More than 15 major fashion brands already tested it and loved it, so the project focused on scaling up production from pilot to commercial volumes.

By the numbers

€1.5 trillion

Annual global textiles industry revenue

1.2 billion tonnes

CO2 equivalent produced by textiles industry per year

50 tons

Annual fiber production capacity of industrial pilot

15+

Major fashion brands that tested the fiber

€1,953,875

EU contribution for scale-up

The business problem

What needed solving

The fashion and textile industry is trapped between growing demand and tightening environmental regulation. Cotton requires massive water resources, viscose uses hazardous chemicals, and polyester is the largest source of plastic microfibers polluting oceans — producing 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. Without a sustainable alternative fiber, brands face both regulatory risk and raw material shortages that will erode profits in the coming decades.

The solution

What was built

An optimised industrial-scale production process for turning textile waste into cellulose-based fiber (Infinited Fiber) that matches the touch and feel of cotton. The pilot facility produces 50 tons per year, and the project delivered the optimised production process needed for commercial scale-up.

Audience

Who needs this

Fashion brands under pressure to eliminate microplastics and reduce carbon footprintTextile manufacturers seeking sustainable raw material alternatives to cotton and polyesterTextile waste recyclers looking for high-value end-uses for collected wasteChemical companies producing viscose who need to phase out hazardous processesRetail chains with sustainability commitments needing certified eco-friendly materials

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Fashion & Apparel

enterprise

Target: Fashion brands and clothing manufacturers looking for sustainable raw materials

If you are a fashion brand dealing with mounting pressure to cut plastic microfibers and carbon emissions from your supply chain — this project developed a cotton-like fiber made entirely from textile waste that has already been tested by more than 15 major brands. The industrial pilot produces 50 tons annually, and the fiber meets consumer expectations for touch and feel. This gives you a drop-in sustainable alternative without sacrificing product quality.

Textile Recycling & Waste Management

any

Target: Textile waste processors and recycling companies

If you are a textile waste processor struggling to find profitable end-uses for collected textile waste — this project created a low-cost process that converts that waste into high-value cellulose fiber. The textiles industry generates 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, and regulations are tightening. Instead of downcycling or landfilling, you could supply feedstock to a fiber production process that major brands are already buying.

Sustainable Materials & Chemicals

mid-size

Target: Chemical companies and fiber producers seeking alternatives to viscose and polyester

If you are a fiber or chemical company facing regulatory pressure over hazardous chemicals in viscose production or microplastic pollution from polyester — this project offers a proven cellulose-based fiber technology that avoids both problems. The pilot facility has been running at 50 tons per year capacity, and its entire output was acquired by major fashion brands. This represents a licensing or partnership opportunity in a market worth €1.5 trillion annually.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does Infinited Fiber cost compared to conventional cotton or polyester?

The project describes the process as 'low-cost' but does not publish specific per-kilogram pricing. Based on available project data, the fiber is positioned as affordable and available in unlimited quantities compared to cotton. Pricing details would need to be discussed directly with Infinited Fiber Company.

Can this actually scale to industrial volumes?

Yes — the company already built an industrial pilot producing 50 tons of fiber annually, and the entire pilot capacity was acquired by major fashion brands. The NewNormal project specifically funded the scale-up from pilot to commercialisation phase, with €1,953,875 in EU support for that transition.

What is the IP situation — can I license this technology?

Infinited Fiber Company is a private SME that developed and owns the technology. The project was funded under the SME Instrument (SME-2), which means IP stays with the company. Any licensing or supply agreements would need to be negotiated directly with the company.

Which brands have already tested this fiber?

The project states that more than 15 brands tested the fiber with 'extremely positive feedback' and were looking to launch consumer products. Specific brand names are not disclosed in the project data, but they are described as 'some of the biggest fashion brands in the world.'

How does this compare to recycled polyester or conventional viscose?

Unlike polyester, Infinited Fiber produces no plastic microfibers in oceans. Unlike viscose, it does not use hazardous chemicals. And unlike cotton, it does not require massive amounts of water. The project data states it is the only fiber that meets all industry needs while matching the touch and feel of cotton.

What is the timeline to get this fiber into my supply chain?

The project ran from October 2019 to March 2021 and aimed to reach the commercialisation phase. The pilot was already supplying fiber to brands for testing. Current production capacity and delivery timelines would need to be confirmed directly with the company, as the project has since closed.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project — Infinited Fiber Company OY, a Finnish SME that received the full €1,953,875 under the EU's SME Instrument Phase 2 (SME-2). The SME-2 programme specifically funds high-potential companies ready to scale proven technology to market. The 100% industry consortium with no university or research partners signals this is a commercialisation effort, not a research project. The company had already built their pilot and secured brand partnerships before this funding, which was purely about accelerating the path from pilot to full-scale production.

INFINITED FIBER COMPANY OYCoordinator · FI

How to reach the team

Infinited Fiber Company OY (Finland) — contact via their website or through SciTransfer for a facilitated introduction

Order a report on this consortium See INFINITED FIBER COMPANY OY profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore sustainable fiber supply for your brand or learn about licensing opportunities? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the team behind this technology.

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