Novem Vitas develops denim fabric made from 100% recovered textile waste – Member Spotlight
13/06/2024
UKFT member Novem Vitas has developed denim fabric made entirely from recovered textile waste, an innovation that could significantly reduce the environmental impact of denim production. Scroll down to find out more.
UKFT member Novem Vitas contributes to the UK fashion and textile sector’s journey toward circularity by transforming textile waste into innovative products and solutions. Its most recent innovation includes creating a denim fabric made from 100% recovered textile waste, currently available for pre-order in limited quantities. The company affirms that the environmental impact of denim production can be reduced through circularity.
“Every year in the UK, 336,000 tonnes of textiles end up in landfills or incinerators, contributing to environmental pollution”, commented Nina Strub, Novem Vitas’ Project Manager. “Through our network, we work with a variety of brands that divert their waste to sorting centres and recycling facilities. Our mission is to transform this waste into another valuable material.”
The company also leads projects such as the Cotton Lives On™ programme which aims to repurpose unwanted cotton into roll mats for families in need, while working with its network to develop fibre-to-fibre fabric from waste, including denim.
Nina said: “Cotton is a strong, breathable, natural, and renewable fibre* that can offer more than one life cycle. Denim is a durable and versatile material with a range of possible applications. Our project aims to repurpose existing textile waste to create new denim. Thanks to our resources, we have achieved this significant innovation: a denim fabric that is 100% made from recovered waste, with strict control over the production processes in France.”
Using recycled materials allows Novem Vitas to significantly reduce water consumption, environmental risks and waste related to denim production. “Our fabric exceeds the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), which mandates a minimum of 20% recycled content, and we are committed to further enhancing our sustainability efforts,” commented Nina.
“Our denim consists of 60% recycled cotton and 40% recycled polyester, with the colour obtained from the recycled materials themselves. By mixing the right recycled fibres, we are able to achieve the desired shades for the final fabric. On top of that, the fabric is certified Oeko-Tex 100, ensuring it meets safety standards by being free from harmful substances.”
Novem Vitas’ denim is currently available for pre-order in limited quantities. The company is open to brand collaborations to develop new weights and colourways to fit their customers’ needs.
For more information, please contact Novem Vitas’ Project Manager, Nina Strub, at nina@novemvitas.com.
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