Improving How We Create New Fibers
Three manufacturers working on new processes that conserve resources and reduce carbon emissions, energy usage, and water usage
EnviroBright?, EnviroLife?, EnviroTouch?, and EnviroBond
By: Sustana Fiber
An automated process designed to efficiently turn post-consumer material into high-quality recycled fibers for printing papers, tissues, or molded fiber packaging without compromising performance and safety. Every year the company recycles enough paper to reduce waste (landfill space by over 1 million cubic yards) and conserve natural resources (save over 4 million trees). This product family includes EnviroBright (for use in manufacturing printing and writing papers), EnviroTouch (for use in manufacturing tissue), EnviroBond (for use in manufacturing molded fiber), and EnviroLife (the only fiber in North America that is compliant with FDA standards for use in food-grade paper cups, cartons, and packaging).
Infinited Fiber
By: Infinited Fiber Company Oy
A technology that produces cellulosic fiber textiles and non-woven fibers from pre and post-consumer paper waste. This process can be used in the textile industry to turn textile and paper waste into new fibers– not just once, but infinitely, without decreasing quality. The resulting material has a natural handfeel similar to cotton, 30-40% higher color uptake, and natural antibacterial properties. It also needs considerably less water for production compared to cotton (up to 5,300 gallons less), making it a good alternative to cotton. Applications include apparel, footwear, accessories, and automotive and furniture upholstery.
Dystar? Cadira? Reactive
By: Dystar Group
An optimized exhaust dyeing process for cellulosic fibers that uses a special high-performance wash-off to improve resource efficiency. According to testing performed by the manufacturer, this process significantly reduces the carbon emissions, energy usage (78%), steam usage (69%), water usage (72%), and process time (76%) compared to the reactive dyeing process. It can be applied to different natural fibers in almost all colors. Applications are for apparel, fashion, home, and industrial textiles.
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