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Full Circle Textiles Project (FCTP) – Cellulosics

Full Circle Textiles Project (FCTP) – Cellulosics

The Full Circle Textiles Project (FCTP) – Cellulosics Foundational Project focused on advancing chemical recycling technologies for cellulosic textiles to drive circularity within the fashion industry. The project aimed to assess innovators, validate recycling processes, and facilitate collaboration across the supply chain. Over two years, the initiative involved rigorous due diligence, pilot production phases, and the creation of sample garments using chemically recycled materials. The project identified key scaling opportunities, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships necessary to support the broader adoption of recycled fibres, while highlighting industry challenges and pathways for future growth.

Last updated: 12/04/2022

Introduction & Key Terms

The Full Circle Textiles Project (FCTP) was initiated to address the growing need for sustainable solutions in textile recycling, specifically focusing on chemically recycling cellulosic fibres. The project’s objectives were threefold: to conduct due diligence on recycling innovators, test and validate recycling processes, and foster industry collaboration to enable scaling. The project spanned from understanding recycling technologies to producing pilot garments using recycled fibres, involving key stakeholders like Birla Cellulose, PVH, and Kering.

Key Terms and Phrases

  • Chemical Recycling: A process that breaks down materials into their basic chemical components for regeneration and reuse.
  • Cellulosic Pulp: A dissolving pulp product derived from chemically processed textile waste, used for producing new man made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs), which can then be made into new textile products..
  • Regenerated Fibres: Fibres made from recycled materials, offering properties similar to virgin materials.
  • Circularity: A sustainable production model that emphasises recycling, reducing waste, and extending product life cycles.
  • Due Diligence: A detailed evaluation of innovators’ capabilities, focusing on technology readiness, impact, and scalability.
  • TRL (Technology Readiness Level): A scale measuring the maturity of a technology, from conceptual stages to fully operational.
  • Offtake Agreements: Contracts where brands commit to purchasing specific amounts of recycled materials to support scaling.
  • Feedstock: Raw materials used for recycling, such as post-consumer or post-industrial textile waste.
  • Scaling: Expanding production capacity to meet market demand.
  • Consortium Project: A collaborative initiative involving multiple stakeholders aiming to scale innovation.
  • Business Model Exploration: Evaluating strategic approaches, such as licensing or joint ventures, to drive growth.
  • Pilot Testing: Preliminary trials to validate recycling processes and assess product quality.

Impact Assessment: Evaluating the environmental and operational benefits of recycling initiatives.

Contents

  1. Confidentiality and Anti-Trust Statement
  2. Agenda
    • Project Overview
    • Phase 1 Due Diligence Results
    • Phase 2 and Steps for Scaling
    • Next Steps
  3. Project Overview
    • Key Goals of FCTP
    • Three-Phase Approach
  4. Phase 0 and 1: Initial Landscape and Due Diligence
    • Assessment of Chemical Recycling Innovators
    • Comparative Analysis Based on Impact, Input, Output, Company, and Technology
    • Innovator Selection for Phase 2
  5. Phase 2: Process Validation and Scaling
    • Production of Recycled Cellulosic Pulp and Garments
    • Testing Across the Supply Chain
    • Key Learnings and Feedback

 

6. Innovator Comparison and Evaluation

    • Detailed Profiles of Innovators (EVRNU, Infinited Fiber Company, Renewcell, Circ, Phoenxt)
    • Inputs, Processes, and Output Specifications
    • Partnership and Scaling Strategies

7. Scaling Challenges and Recommendations

    • Technological Improvements
    • Partnership Growth for Scaled Capacity
    • Business Model Exploration
    • Educational Awareness within the Industry

8. Key Areas for Future Focus

    • Enhancing Brand Engagement and Education
    • Facilitating Actionable Offtake Agreements

9. Next Steps for Stakeholders

    • Workshops and Discussions for Scaling Partnerships
    • Continued Exploration of Business Models and Financial Instruments

10. Appendices

    • Detailed Due Diligence Summaries for Each Innovator
    • Project Timeline and Milestones