ABB and the Swedish textile recycling firm Syre have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the first textile-to-textile recycling plant in Vietnam, as detailed in a statement. In specific terms, ABB is seeking to verify how ABB technologies for automation, electrification and digitalization can contribute to the plant. Moreover, the partners will explore how ABB technologies might be able to optimize the plant’s process and quality control.
The purpose of the proposed plant in Gia Lai province, Vietnam, will be to process polyester from textile and industrial waste into new recycled polyester. This textile recycling approach is intended to reduce the use of virgin fossil inputs and to lower the climate impact, thereby playing its part in solving the global problem of textile waste.
“Together with Syre, we will explore how our experience in fiber processing, chemicals and advanced process industries can be applied to polyester recycling. We’re excited to discover what’s possible as we embark on this new technological collaboration”, comments Wilson Monteiro, Global Business Line Manager for Pulp, Paper and Fiber at ABB’s Process Industries division.
Since being founded just a couple of years ago, the textile recycling firm Syre has already increased its production of circular PET chips to in excess of 2 tons. It is now planning to build its first large-scale production plant in Vietnam. ce/ja