Developing Circularity In Fashion ─ ANDRITZ Receives Order For Landmark Textile Recycling Plant From Circ®
Image By Courtesy of ANDRITZ
28th November 2024 : International technology group ANDRITZ has received an engineering order from US textile recycling innovator Circ in anticipation of its first large-scale textile recycling plant.
The plant will be the first to recover cotton and polyester from blended textile waste.
Conor Hartman, Chief Operating Officer at Circ, says: “We remain excited about this continued collaboration with ANDRITZ. Together, we will commercialize Circ’s innovative recycling process and take another step towards a truly circular fashion industry. With its expertise in engineering and building large-scale process equipment, ANDRITZ is the right partner to help us transform textile waste into recycled fibers on an industrial level.”
The majority of fashion waste consists of polyester-cotton blends, which poses a significant challenge to achieving greater circularity. In particular, the separation of cellulosic and synthetic fibers from textile waste has been a major obstacle.
Circ’s Innovative Recycling Process Can Break Down Polycotton Textile Waste Into Its Original Components – Polyester And Cotton.
The forthcoming plant will process 200 tons of textile waste per day, allowing cotton to be recycled for lyocell production and polyester to be reused for polyester production. This will reduce the need for virgin raw materials.
Michael Waupotitsch, Vice President Textile Recycling at ANDRITZ, comments: “We are eager to support Circ in their vision of circularity because the technology they have developed is uniquely suited to solve one of the biggest challenges in fashion waste and recycling. With our holistic knowledge in resizing, mechanical separation, hydrothermal processing, recovery of cellulosic pulp as well as pulp cleaning and pulp drying, we have the right expertise to help them achieve their goals. Our experience in process development and machinery will help bring their innovative recycling technology to life.”
ANDRITZ has been successfully conducting trials for Circ at the ANDRITZ Fiber R&D Center in Springfield, Ohio, USA, for several years. The successful partnership and recent developments have led to the decision to expand this cooperation.
Circ® is a pioneering company focused on sustainable solutions for the fashion industry. By converting fashion waste into reusable raw materials for fabrics, Circ reduces the need for petroleum and natural resources. The company’s mission is to build a truly circular economy to protect the planet from the cost of clothing.
ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems, services and digital solutions for a wide range of industries and end markets.
Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s business strategy and corporate culture. With its extensive portfolio of sustainable products and solutions, ANDRITZ aims to make the greatest possible contribution to a sustainable future and help its customers achieve their sustainability goals.
ANDRITZ is a global market leader in all four of its business areas – Pulp & Paper, Metals, Hydropower and Environment & Energy. Technological leadership and global presence are cornerstones of the group’s strategy, which is focused on long-term profitable growth.
The publicly listed group has around 30,000 employees and over 280 locations in more than 80 countries.
ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides sustainable technology, automation, and service solutions for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue.
The technologies and services focus on increased production efficiency, lower overall operating costs as well as innovative decarbonization strategies and autonomous plant operation.
The product portfolio also includes boilers for power generation, various nonwoven technologies, and panelboard (MDF) production systems.
With waste-to-value recycling, shredding and energy solutions, waste and by-product streams from production are converted into valuable secondary raw materials as well as into sustainable resources for energy generation.
State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.
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Version 26.2 introduces a suite of AI Services that seamlessly integrate GPU-accelerated artificial intelligence into existing print production workflows.
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The achievement positions Sun Chemical as a frontrunner in sustainable and compliant digital textile printing solutions.
London UK – July – 2026 – British digital fabric printing company Prinfab has been commissioned to produce a commemorative tea towel to celebrate the landmark birthday of iconic English fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
The bespoke piece features hand-drawn self-portraits of nearly 800 members of his team, making it a truly unique tribute to one of Britain's most celebrated designers.
The tea towel, gifted to Sir Paul Smith by his team, showcases the creative spirit that has long defined the Paul Smith brand.
Manchester – August 2026 – Premier Digital Textiles today highlights its 2555 Dimout, a versatile, dual-purpose fabric designed to bridge the worlds of fashion and interior design.
With its distinctive silver finish and subtle sheen, the fabric is positioned as a premium material for designers and makers operating across both industries.
2555 Dimout features a smooth silver surface that lends itself naturally to elegant occasionwear, flowing garments, and bold statement pieces.
Its fluid drape and refined aesthetic make it particularly well-suited to summer collections, where lightness and visual impact are equally valued.
Oswestry – Shropshire – August 2026 - Fujifilm Ink, the UK-based global supplier of UV inkjet technology, has strengthened its partnership with China Print Supplies UK Ltd (CPS), becoming the recognised ink supplier for the company's range of Dlican UV printing systems.
The partnership follows the successful rollout of Fujifilm Ink's thermoforming flexible ink technology, reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering high-performance, application-specific ink solutions for the wide-format print market.
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Visitors can find the swissQprint UK team at Stand P420, where they will have the opportunity to experience the company's latest flatbed printing technology firsthand.
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Visitors can find the companies at Booth 3L11 in Hall 3, Smart Creation Area.
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Emmerich am Rhein, Nordrhein-Westfalen – August 2026 – Brother Industrial EMEA has announced the launch of its GTX300, a hybrid direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) garment printer that the company says sets a new benchmark for textile print quality.
To mark the occasion, Brother Industrial EMEA is offering eligible print professionals across the EMEA region a complimentary demo package to experience the printer's capabilities firsthand.
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Geretsried, Bavaria, August 2026 – RUDOLF, a leading textile chemistry company, has announced the launch of its Summer Campaign, a dedicated series exploring advanced finishing technologies designed to enhance the performance, comfort, and protection of swimwear and summer apparel.
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RUDOLF's Summer Campaign aims to demonstrate how the right finishing technologies can meet these challenges head-on.
Frankfurt, Germany – August 2026 – Heimtextil, the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, has announced the launch of the Italian Lounge, a dedicated exhibition space celebrating Italian craftsmanship at its 2027 edition.
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Pembrokeshire, Wales – August 2026 – National Weaving, a family-owned textile manufacturer with nearly four decades of experience, was honoured to receive a visit from HRH The Princess Royal, President of the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), at its Pembrokeshire facility.
The visit celebrated the company's longstanding contribution to British textile manufacturing and its commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with modern, sustainable production methods.
PHILADELPHIA – July 2026 – PRINTING United Alliance, in partnership with The Foundation for Graphic Communication Education (The FGCE), continues to expand its popular Student Day experience at PRINTING United Expo 2026, taking place Thursday, September 24, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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The installation, which required careful planning and specialist logistics to position both machines on a first-floor mezzanine, marks another milestone in a valued, ongoing partnership.
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With Viktor Lazzeri, who has played a key leadership role within the company for many years and is well known to customers and partners as Chief Operating Officer, Barbieri has appointed him COO and Co-Managing Director, further strengthening its leadership capacity to support innovation, international growth and even closer customer relationships.
Altrincham – Cheshire – July 2026 - Friedmans Ltd and Funki Fabrics have announced the arrival of new print designs, expanding their existing collection with a fresh range of trend-led prints available across a broad selection of premium fabric bases.
The launch offers fashion designers, production teams, and creative professionals a timely opportunity to explore new possibilities for their upcoming collections.
Leicestershire - July 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies is pleased to announce that HG Graphics, a leading provider of building signage and vehicle wraps across Yorkshire and the UK, has invested in a fully integrated print and cutting solution combining the VelobladeNexus with the latest Onyx Graphics software.
The installation, supplied and commissioned by Vivid Laminating Technologies, sees three printers feeding directly into HG Graphics' new VelobladeNexus with auto tool change — all operating under full Onyx Graphics software integration. The solution was delivered and set up on-site as part of a complete, ready-to-run installation
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The launch addresses a gap left when APSO, the longtime CAD platform for the tufting industry, discontinued its software more than two years ago, leaving mills and carpet designers without a clear path forward.
Accrington, UK, July 29, 2026: Soyang Europe has expanded its direct-to-film (DTF) range with the launch of a paper-based transfer media that offers an environmentally conscious alternative to conventional PET transfer film.
Named Soyang DTF Paper, the new product is a single-sided release-coated transfer paper featuring anti-static treatment and a hot-peel release.
Designed for use with digital inkjet DTF printers running water-based pigment inks, the media can be recycled through standard paper waste streams, helping print businesses reduce plastic waste.
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Visitors can find Caldera at Booth C1469, where the company will showcase its latest innovations in print workflow automation, colour management, and apparel decoration.
Ghent – Belgium – July 2026 – Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (Kongsberg PCS), a leading provider of digital cutting solutions, is calling on print, signage, and packaging businesses to embrace advanced materials as a strategic pathway to new markets, higher-value products, and more sustainable growth.
As competitive pressures intensify across the manufacturing sector, Kongsberg PCS is positioning its versatile, high-performance digital cutting solutions as essential tools for businesses looking to expand their capabilities and future-proof their operations.
The company's message is clear: businesses that invest in advanced material processing today are best placed to lead their industries tomorrow.
Bracknell – Berkshire-July 2026 – UFABRIK’s Soft Blackback Textile, a premium material engineered for tension frames, interiors, retail environments, exhibitions, soft signage, and beyond.
Designed to meet the exacting demands of modern display and signage professionals, the new textile sets a new benchmark for quality, versatility, and performance in the industry
Crewe, UK – July 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the UK's leading Mimaki distributor, has announced two dedicated demonstration weeks at its Crewe showroom this August, giving businesses across the print industry the opportunity to explore the latest Mimaki technology firsthand.
Taking place from 3rd to 7th August and 17th to 21st August 2026, the August Demo Weeks are designed to help businesses make informed investment decisions by experiencing Mimaki's wide format print solutions in a hands-on, pressure-free environment.
Florida – July - 2026 – Agfa Inkjet Solutions has announced its return as a Keynote Sponsor of the 2026 Wide Format Summit, marking the sixth consecutive year the company has supported the industry's premier gathering.
The event is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 July 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Clay Cross – UK – July 2026 – Resolute highlights its new DTF Pneumatic Twin Platen Heat Press, a professional-grade heat press designed to help print shops increase output, improve consistency, and reduce downtime across high-volume production runs.
The machine's dual-platen design allows operators to prepare the next garment while the current one is being pressed, significantly reducing idle time and increasing throughput.
This makes it particularly well-suited to print shops running large direct-to-film (DTF) and transfer print operations, where speed and consistency are critical.
Mexico City, Mexico – July 2026 – FESPA Mexico, the premier event for the print and signage industry in Latin America, is set to take place from 10–12 September at Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City.
The event will bring together professionals, suppliers, and innovators from across the region to explore the latest technologies and trends shaping the future of print.
TOKYO, Japan, July 27, 2026 - Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") is proud to announce that its production facility, PT. Indonesia Epson Industry (IEI), has achieved Platinum recognition under the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Validated Assessment Program (VAP), based on audits conducted by RBA-approved independent third-party firms.
This achievement underscores Epson's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) within its global supply chain.