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Aalto University has received the 2015 Paper Recycling Award from the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC) for the development of a novel spinning technique that allows to produce textiles and garments from waste paper and waste card board. The exhibited fabrics were produced at Aalto University’s Department of Design by Marjaana Tanttu. The project was conducted in tight collaboration with VTT where pretreatment methods for the recycled paper and board were developed in the group of Professor Ali Harlin.

The novelty of the Ioncell-F process lies in its special solvent, a so-called ionic liquid, which is capable of dissolving cellulosic waste material without the addition of toxic chemicals. This allows to spin fibers for the production of textiles and garments, explains Professor Sixta.
The process is currently further developed within the projects “Design Driven Value Chains in the World of Cellulose” (TEKES) and “Designed high-value products from zero-value waste textiles and fibres via design driven technologies” (short: Trash2Cash, Horizon2020).

The ceremony was held at the European Parliament. From left: Eva Kaili (Member of the European Parliament), Professor Herbert Sixta, Yibo Ma, Michael Hummel, and Henri Vermeulen (ERPC chairman).

Prototype garment including fibers spun from cardboard as design element. Photo: Eeva Suorilahti.

Valokuva: Jan Van de Vel.