The company will restart manufacturing of CIRCULOSE, its recycled pulp produced exclusively from discarded cotton textiles like a worn-out pair of jeans, in the fourth quarter of 2026.
CIRCULOSE is a dissolving pulp suitable for manufacturing viscose, lyocell, modal, acetate, and other regenerated fibres, also referred to as man-made cellulosic fibres. These fibres can be spun into yarns, processed into fabrics, and used in the production of new textile goods.
Circulose CEO Jonatan Janmark said: “The preparations are in full swing, and new pulp is expected to roll out of the factory by the end of the year, ensuring there is no gap in supply.”
Under the ownership of private equity firm Altor since 2024, Circulose has focused on securing volume commitments from partner brands and aligning the plant’s reopening with confirmed demand.
Janmark said: “Our plan was to align the production restart with confirmed demand, and with commitments from 11 brands, we are now moving forward with confidence.”
The Circulose CEO also confirmed that agreements have been reached with fibre producers Tangshan Sanyou, Aditya Birla, and Jilin Chemicals.
At present, orders are being met using existing stock manufactured by Renewcell prior to its insolvency.
The Ortviken site is claimed to be the world’s first commercial-scale chemical textile recycling plant.
The renewed operations will enable Circulose to provide recycled raw materials to both fashion brands and fibre manufacturers at industrial scale.
Janmark said: “Restarting Ortviken is a major milestone for Circulose and for scaling next-generation materials.
“The fashion industry needs solutions that work at industrial scale and integrate seamlessly into existing supply chains. CIRCULOSE is designed to do exactly that.”
