Fibre innovator Spinnova is partnering with the world’s largest pulp producer Suzano to build the first commercial scale Spinnova production site in Finland by 2022. Suzano, situated in Brazil, will invest €22 mn ($26.8mn) to help establish the facility – a figure that could rise to €50mn ($61.1mn) when real estate is factored in – and will also supply the site with micro-fibrillated cellulose obtained from eucalyptus on its land in South America.
“Suzano uses only planted trees in its production processes. This renewable raw material is being combined with Spinnova’s technology for producing fibres that are more sustainable than the options currently available in the textile industry, which is aligned with the demands of contemporary society”, said Fernando Bertolucci, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Suzano.
The report was broken earlier via webinar, as representatives discussed the mutual benefits this joint venture will bring. Spinnova has patented a disruptive technology which it says enables it to make a cellulose-based fibre with no potentially hazardous chemicals or waste in the production process, cutting out 99 per cent of the water used in conventional cotton production.
The technology has made strong progress over recent years, demonstrated through the partnerships Spinnova has forged with the likes of Finnish fashion house Marimekko and Norwegian outdoor apparel brand Bergans to develop apparel and accessories using its fibre. Now, the terms have been set for what could prove a turning point in Spinnova’s progress to date, as the financial backing and consistent stream of material that Suzano can provide lays the foundations for accelerated growth and output.
“We believe that the Spinnova fibre will be the breakthrough that the textile and fashion industry has been waiting for,” said the Finnish firm’s CEO and Co-Founder, Janne Poranen. “We have all the needed components in place: a good quality product that can replace cotton in end products, proof of concept from our production pilot, scalable technology and ample, sustainable raw material supply.”
To coincide with this, Spinnova has announced its latest brand collaborator, Swedish fashion giant H&M, which says an uptake in sustainable alternative fibres aligns well with plans to reduce its reliance on other, less ‘sustainable’ materials.
“The H&M Group’s ambition is to become fully circular, and we are continuously testing and actively looking to further integrate the use of sustainable materials through our group’s brands,” said Circular Innovation Lab lead, Mattias Bodin, on the webinar. “We see Spinnova as having great potential to address several of the sustainability challenges we face today.”
Poranen added: “Every leading textile brand is looking for ways to minimise their emissions and ecological footprint, and build a circular material foundation for their products. We feel humble and proud that soon we will be able to provide brands our new, disruptively sustainable fibre and fabrics.”
