First Successes in Yarn Recycling at Getzner Textil

Circular economy is a significant topic that concerns consumers and producers more than ever. How can residual materials be returned to the cycle in an ecological and economical manner? The Bludenz-based company Getzner Textil has demonstrated this in a pilot project.

The subsidiary TFE Textil GmbH of Getzner Textil AG produces technical fabrics made of polyester yarn, which are used in sectors like automotive. During the manufacturing process, the fabrics are trimmed along the edges, resulting in leftover materials that can serve as raw material again.

In collaboration with the Austrian recycling specialist Erema Group, an attempt was made to return these residues to their original material. The leftover materials were collected, melted down, processed into granules, and spun into new yarn by a spinning mill. TFE then used this yarn to produce the original fabric again without any loss in material quality.

Ein Stapler hält eine Rolle recyceltes Garn Ein Mensch hält Garnabfälle in der Hand

A forklift holds a roll of recycled yarn. A person holds yarn waste in their hand.

Further Challenges

The technical feasibility of the project has been successfully demonstrated, and there is high customer demand for recycled alternatives. However, this pilot project dealt with the processing of a homogeneous secondary raw material. In contrast, the majority of textile waste is not homogeneous but consists of material blends. This presents significant challenges to the industry, as mixed materials often require complex separation processes before they can be further processed. Even pure cotton, unlike synthetic yarns, cannot simply be melted, granulated, and respun. Here too, Getzner is working on recycling solutions at its in-house development center and in collaboration with universities and leading textile research institutions.

In addition to developing recycling technologies, establishing suitable infrastructure is essential to make recycled materials of any kind available. While the processing of residual materials is undoubtedly worthwhile, it always involves additional costs and energy expenditure.

Getzner Textil

  • Produces new yarn and fabric from weaving waste
  • Successfully tested for polyester
  • Working on recycling possibilities for cotton

Background

This article was published on November 2, 2024, in the economic magazine Thema Vorarlberg. It is part of the series Technik im Blick by WISTO.

Text ©Manuela de Pretis
Photos ©Getzner Textil

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