Recover, a maker of recycled cotton fiber, Rieter, a supplier of manufacturing yarn systems, and Polopiqué, a vertical textile manufacturer, have agreed to work together to advance textile recycling. This partnership will enable the industry to create yarns with a higher proportion of mechanically recycled fibers. The three claim that the collaboration is the consequence of an increase in the demand for fine, high-quality, ring-spun cotton yarns that contain more recycled fibers.

The three companies have developed a "sustainable garment" using Ne 30 compact yarn, which contains 40% recycled post-industrial fabric waste, by combining Recover's mastery of the most advanced recycling technology, Rieter's expertise in spinning systems and machines, and Polopiqué's proficiency in textile manufacturing. When making recycled ring yarn, recycled fiber content is often only 20%.

The Rieter comber and the Rieter compacting device COMPACTdrum are both employed in the ring spinning process for this project. High-quality virgin cotton and recycled cotton fibers from Recover were mixed equally. Unwanted very short fibers and neps are successfully eliminated from the mix during combing, significantly improving the yarn quality and ring spinning machine running efficiency. Additionally, the Rieter rotor spinning machine is the ideal tool for processing the fibers extracted by the comber. The procedure attempts to achieve GRS Global Recycling Standard certification with these benefits in place.

Alfredo Ferre, CEO at Recover said: “This partnership is spearheading a new era of sustainability in the textile industry. By increasing the percentage of the recycled content in the yarn and final product, we can achieve our goal to scale the adoption of sustainable fibers, like Recover, and make a lasting positive impact on the environment.”