Circulose has announced the restart of its commercial-scale manufacturing facility at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking an important milestone in expanding next-generation sustainable materials for the global fashion industry.
The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, during the fourth quarter of 2026.
“The preparations are well underway, and we expect new pulp to begin rolling out of the factory by the end of the year, ensuring continuous supply,” said Jonatan Janmark, CEO of Circulose.
Strategic Restart Backed by Brand Commitments
Following its acquisition in 2024 by private equity firm Altor, Circulose adopted a renewed strategy focused on securing strong demand from partner brands before restarting operations at scale.
“Our intention was always to align the production restart with confirmed market demand,” Janmark explained. “With commitments now in place from 11 brands, we are moving forward with confidence.”
In addition, Circulose has entered strategic collaborations with leading fiber producers, including Tangshan Sanyou, Aditya Birla, and Jilin Chemicals, strengthening its position in the recycled textile supply chain.
Supporting Textile Waste Reduction at Industrial Scale
With the Ortviken plant returning to operation, Circulose will once again be able to supply fashion brands and fiber manufacturers with high-quality recycled raw materials at commercial volume. This supports broader industry efforts to divert textile waste away from landfills and incineration.
At present, customer orders are being fulfilled using existing inventory originally produced by Renewcell prior to its bankruptcy.
“Restarting Ortviken represents a major achievement for Circulose and for scaling textile-to-textile recycling,” Janmark added. “The fashion industry urgently needs solutions that can operate at industrial scale and integrate smoothly into existing supply networks. CIRCULOSE® was developed to meet exactly that need.”
A Landmark Facility for Chemical Textile Recycling
The Ortviken plant is recognized as the world’s first commercial-scale chemical textile recycling facility. Its restart signals growing momentum within the fashion industry to move beyond pilot projects and toward long-term, large-scale adoption of proven circular solutions.