New Retex®

New Retex® x Superstainable®

The YOT™ (Your old tee) concept

In 2023 we started the collaboration with New Retex, the technological textile sorting facility in Bjerringbro, Denmark, to find solutions on how to sort and spin new yarns from post-consumer waste. In a revolutionary setup, we have started the journey as the first company in Denmark to launch products on the market, that has a composition consisting of New Retex yarns made partly from Danish Houldehold textile waste.

This could be your old tee
These products could in fact be your old t-shirt or sweatshirt which you deposited in the landfill or threw away in textile waste in 2022 or 2023.

The small spots in the fabric is actually old textiles from your household made into new yarns. We think that is quite amazing and in the future the composition will consists of more post-consumer waste as the technology gets even better.

On behalf of Superstainable®,

Claus Rasmussen

Chairman of the Board
Superstainable®

Consultant for New Retex®

(Claus is wearing the Holms YOT™ 1/2 zip which was nominated for the SOG Award and will be launched in Autumn of 2024)

How it is made

Circularity

1. Delivery of textile waste

2. Pre-sorting (clothes suitable for recycling are sorted out)

3. Automatic sorting by material type and color

4. Subdivision

5. Scratching up to open fibers

6. Spinning new yarns

7. Production of new clothes

There will also be a quantity of textile waste that is NOT suitable for mechanical recycling, which can instead be chemically recycled, as well as other things that can be up- or downcycled.

The AI circularity movement

1. Submission of waste

We work with various suppliers of waste textiles. We have divided the suppliers into four general groups, which are symbolized by the four trucks:

1. Recycling stations/municipalities
2. The textile industry
3. Laundries
4. Thrift stores

Distribution

Textiles must not be left for a long time, as they risk developing an odor, just as moisture can cause the textiles to rot. It is therefore important that the textiles are processed quickly. We start with a distribution so that the textiles do not lie on top of each other, just as an overview of the quantity on the conveyor belt can be quickly formed. Tracking/batch is being worked on, so that it is possible to follow the quantities.

Pre Sorting

After the distribution, a pre-sorting is carried out, where all items that are not textiles will be sorted out. For this purpose, the latest sorting technologies are used. In addition, wet and smelly textiles will be sorted out.

Sorting

This is the heart of NewRetex's sorting process. Here, textiles are sorted into qualities and colours. Again, we use a known technology that has been further developed so that it is possible to work with more correct data. After the data has been registered, robotic technology is used to remove the various qualities from the conveyor belt.

Breakdown

Depending on which process the qualities must subsequently go through, they are broken down into different sizes.

Separation

In order to go through the recycling process, regardless of whether this process is chemical, mechanical or thermal, it is important that the "hard parts" are sorted out. This applies, among other things, to buttons, zippers, decorations, etc.). This happens mechanically.

Types of recycling

There are three general types of recycling that can "transform textiles into new fibres". It can either take place mechanically, chemically or thermally. The different types of recycling are dependent on input, i.e. quality, while others are dependent on colors. For this reason, the textiles are sorted by quality and colour.

Finished goods ready for shipment

We work with a Danish or European setup in relation to the further recycling processes, where the broken down textiles end up in new yarn and fabric.

The recycling process

The recycling itself is carried out by companies other than NewRetex. Here we work on a Danish/European setup to ensure knowledge and development in local markets. In addition, CO2 is saved, and with the waste we generate, we also have to deal with the principle ourselves.

Traditional textile process

Now the traditional manufacturing process starts, where yarn, meter goods etc., become a finished product. It could, for example, be a t-shirt.

Take-Back

A Take Back system is being worked on, which should work in collaboration with other companies that want to buy textiles. It could either be for direct recycling (first priority) or alternatively by sending the remainder for recycling.