Birla Cellulose announces strategic partnership with US-based Circ to scale textile recycling

November 02, 2024

Category: SUSTAINABILITY

Country: India

Region: Asia

By Isabelle Crossley
30th October, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

Aditya Birla Group’s cellulosic fibres business Birla Cellulose has announced a strategic partnership with US-based textile to textile recycling business Circ. The businesses aim to scale the recycling of fibres within the textiles sector and the tie-up will see Birla Cellulose purchase up to 5,000 tonnes of Circ’s pulp each year for a period of five years.

“Our partnership with Birla Cellulose, a leading global producer of MMCFs [Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres], is significant as it demonstrates both Circ’s ongoing progress towards scalability as well as the industry’s commitment to investing in a truly circular economy,” said Circ’s CEO Peter Majeranowski in a press release. “Together, we are poised to create a more sustainable fashion future by integrating recycled materials into textiles on the global stage.”

The long term strategic partnership will utilise Circ’s first commercial-scale facility. Circ’s pulp will be transformed into lyocell staple fibre which will both support Circ as it scales up its commercial production and enhance access to recycled materials in the textile industry.

“This partnership reflects our deep commitment to environmental stewardship and represents a crucial step in advancing innovation within the textile industry,” said Grasim Industries Limited’s chief technology officer Aspi Patel. “By combining Circ's cutting-edge recycling technology with our cellulosic fibres, we are significantly enhancing the potential for a truly circular economy.”

The partnership will create recycled Circ Lyocell textiles which will be available for use by brands and supply chain partners. The tie-up also highlights the willingness of both businesses to promote circular economy practices and reduce environmental impact through technology and material reuse.