Andritz Laroche delivered, installed, and successfully launched a comprehensive textile recycling line for Renaissance Textile, situated in Laval, France.

Renaissance has become the first French recycling platform devoted to industrial end-of-life textiles thanks to the textile recycling equipment. In order to weave new recycled fabrics, the project intends to create new fibers from the gathered post-consumer clothing.

The new 12,000 square meter factory has a full tearing line, and its distinctive design is the result of close cooperation between Renaissance and Andritz Laroche R&D professionals, as well as specially designed experiments conducted by the two parties at the Andritz technical center in Cours, France.

The new clothing made using this circular economy model is part of a larger initiative to decarbonize the textile industry in the fight against global warming, but it also offers autonomy in the sourcing of raw materials and the support of local staffing, especially for those who have been out of work for a while or are trying to enter the workforce for the first time.

Renaissance wants to add 110 direct employment by 2025.

Nicolas Nojac, director of Renaissance Textile, said that their initial recycling line is dedicated to white polycotton textiles that primarily come from the healthcare and food processing industries. They can recycle 3,000 tons of textiles annually thanks to this equipment, which is equivalent to ten million pieces of apparel. By the end of 2023 and 2025, respectively, they also intend to establish two more lines in order to increase the variety of recycled textiles by introducing new colors and fibers.