SaXcell re-uses cotton to produce yarn

Billions of kilos of cotton are being thrown away annually, but the answer to this wasteful problem might be on its way. Dutch researchers Gerrit Bouwhuis en Ger Brinks, who are connected to the Dutch Saxion University of Applied Sciences, recently unveiled SaXcell: yarn made from 100 percent cotton waste.

Dutch fashion brand Humanoid used SaXcell to create a dress, which was presented earlier this week at the congress ´Groen is de Rode Draad´ (i.e. green is the red thread). The congress was organised by the Dutch organisation MVO for corporate sustainability and ´Het Plan van Aanpak´: an initiative created by three associations from the retail sector. During the production of SaXcell, every kilogram of recycled cotton yielded at least 980 grams of new yarn. A study conducted by EY proved how the new fabric could become an interesting commercial solution for all apparel brands struggling with waste management.

The prototype of SaXcell was first presented during Dutch Design Week, and will be presented next month during a meeting of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. In addition to receiving support from Humanoid, the researchers behind SaXcell also received support from numerous other companies from the Dutch textile industry such as JB Textiles.