Finnish sustainable textile company Spinnova has been given a two-year grant to develop a pilot program that will at once develop new fibers from agricultural and textile waste streams and refine and recycle Spinnova-brand textile products.
The grant, which is valued at 1.9 million euros ($2.1 million), was given to Spinnova by Business Finland and is equal to half the 3.9 million euros ($4.25 million) value of the project’s total cost.
The pilot-scale project is expected to last until April 14, 2025 from its April 15, 2023 launch date. It is designed to create new opportunities for Spinnova to broaden its business while its energy-efficient refining will boost the profile of Spinnova fiber. New refining and fiber recycling components will be able to be used by factories producing Spinnova fiber.
Spinnova’s chief technology officer and co-founder Juha Salmela said, “Business Finland’s grant supports our development work to become even more sustainable and competitive by being able to offer technology that can process multiple circular raw materials into textile fiber.”
Spinnova has the patents on breakthrough technology for making chemical-free sustainable textile fiber out of wood or waste, such as leather, textile or agricultural castoffs. In May, the company opened the first Woodspin factory in Finland, in partnership with Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer. At the opening, Finnish designer Sofia Ilmonen presented a collection of garments and shoes made from fabric that was 80 percent cotton and 20 percent Spinnova, processed with reactive dying and an enzyme treatment. The collection was made up of between six and 16 different modules that can be coaxed into different silhouettes, according to Ilmonen. “This collection demonstrates how a circular, wood-based fibre can be woven into something delicate and elegant,” she said. “Working with Spinnova’s sustainable fibre is a dream collaboration for me.”
Spinnova materials are quickly biodegradable and circular, and create zero waste or microplastic pollution. In addition to the Woodspin opening, the company also recently launched a spinning operation with Tearfil in Portugal. Spinnova has also collaborated with fashion brands Marimekko, Adidas, H&M and The North Face.
