Portugal-based A Penteadora SA has successfully started up a complete mechanical textile recycling line and a needlepunch nonwoven production line supplied by ANDRITZ at its Unhais da Serra facility, marking a major step in the company’s sustainability and circularity strategy. The investment will enable the wool and textile specialist to convert pre- and post-consumer textile waste into high-value nonwoven materials for industrial applications.
The new installation strengthens A Penteadora’s industrial capabilities and supports the development of a new generation of textile recycling solutions based on circular raw materials. According to the company, the feedstock for the new lines includes both its own production waste and external textile waste streams, creating a more integrated and resource-efficient model for textile processing.
Recycling and nonwoven lines now fully operational
A Penteadora confirmed that both the mechanical textile recycling line and the needlepunch nonwoven line are fully operational, with the first products expected to reach the market in July.
The newly installed recycling system includes a complete process line for cutting, blending, fibre opening and carding, designed to handle complex textile materials such as wool-synthetic blends and technical fibres. This gives A Penteadora the flexibility to process a wide range of textile waste streams while maintaining fibre quality for downstream nonwoven applications.
Alongside the recycling line, the company has also commissioned a needlepunch nonwoven production line that will convert recovered fibres into high-performance nonwoven materials suited for industrial and technical end uses.
Advanced picker technology adds value to textile waste processing
One of the standout features of the new installation is the inclusion of advanced picker technology, described as one of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula. The technology enables the efficient removal of hard elements such as buttons, zippers and other non-textile components from waste textiles before further processing.
This capability is expected to significantly improve material purity, process efficiency and end-product quality, especially when working with post-consumer textile waste, which often contains mixed components and accessories that can complicate recycling operations.
By incorporating this advanced sorting and preparation step, A Penteadora is positioning itself to handle more challenging waste streams while increasing the value that can be extracted from discarded textile materials.
New nonwoven materials for insulation, acoustic and protective applications
The new needlepunch nonwoven line opens the door for A Penteadora to move beyond conventional wool and textile processing into a broader range of industrial applications.
According to the company, the nonwoven line will be used to produce high-performance materials for applications such as:
- Thermal insulation
- Acoustic barriers
- Protective solutions
- Industrial nonwoven products
This diversification is particularly significant as demand continues to grow for sustainable, recycled fibre-based materials in sectors such as construction, automotive, interiors, technical textiles and industrial protection.
A strategic move toward circularity and resource efficiency
Commenting on the start-up, Miguel Fernandes, Administrator of A Penteadora, said the investment is central to the company’s ambition to transform textile waste into high-value resources.
“With the new ANDRITZ recycling and nonwoven technologies, we can transform textile waste into high-value materials for industrial applications. This investment strengthens our commitment to sustainability and circularity while creating new opportunities for innovative nonwoven products and more efficient use of resources,” Fernandes said.
The project reflects a broader shift underway in the textile and nonwoven sectors, where manufacturers are increasingly investing in mechanical recycling and closed-loop production systems to reduce dependence on virgin raw materials and improve waste recovery.
Part of Paulo de Oliveira Group’s wider textile ecosystem
A Penteadora SA is a vertically integrated company within the Paulo de Oliveira Group, one of Europe’s established players in the wool industry. The company specialises in transforming fibre into fabric and produces worsted and woollen textiles for fashion, uniforms and technical applications.
Its existing manufacturing expertise, combined with the new ANDRITZ recycling and nonwoven lines, places A Penteadora in a stronger position to integrate recycled textile materials into both traditional and emerging product categories.
The company is certified to ISO 9001 and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) requirements, while its products also comply with OEKO-TEX® standards, reinforcing its commitment to quality, traceability and responsible production.
A notable development for textile recycling in Portugal and the Iberian region
The start-up of the new ANDRITZ lines is not only significant for A Penteadora, but also for the broader textile recycling landscape in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula. As European regulations and brand commitments continue to push the textile industry toward circularity, investments in fibre recovery, waste processing and recycled nonwoven manufacturing are becoming increasingly important.
With this installation, A Penteadora is positioning itself as a regional player in mechanical textile recycling and recycled nonwoven production, capable of turning complex textile waste into commercially valuable industrial materials.
The project also highlights how established textile manufacturers are beginning to move beyond waste management and into high-value recycling-led product development, creating new business opportunities while addressing sustainability targets.