From polycotton waste to
materials for household products
To unlock new value from one of the most challenging textile fractions, we partnered with Fashion2House to transform discarded polycotton into sustainable materials for household products. By connecting fashion and home industries, the project explores scalable recycling pathways and paves the way for regulation-ready solutions that combine circularity with performance and industrial potential.
BACKGROUND
Every year, millions of tonnes of textiles are discarded, with polycotton being among the most difficult to recycle. At the same time, the household industry relies heavily on fossil-based plastics, contributing to carbon emissions. Fashion2House bridges these two sectors by exploring how discarded polycotton can be transformed into sustainable raw materials for everyday household products, opening new pathways for circular textile innovation.
CHALLENGE
Polycotton’s mixed fibres make large-scale recycling difficult, as most methods recover only one fibre while the rest becomes waste. Household products, meanwhile, must meet strict standards for strength, durability, and design, qualities typically achieved with primary plastics. To succeed, alternatives must deliver both circularity and performance, while also being cost-efficient and aligned with upcoming sustainability regulations.
SOLUTION
Fashion2House demonstrates how polycotton waste can be turned into strong, recycled materials for household products. Using scalable processes such as airlay, carding, and hot pressing, the project has produced high-quality panels and 3D objects from textile waste. Each step is optimised to meet industrial standards, proving that even complex textile fractions can be unlocked as valuable circular solutions for sustainable production.
RESULT
The project has delivered proof-of-concept materials with strength levels comparable to those of plastics, showing that polycotton waste can substitute for primary resources in household goods. Beyond the technical breakthrough, Fashion2House outlines a clear roadmap towards pilot production, regulatory alignment, and industrialisation by 2030. It demonstrates a new circular pathway for recycled textiles and a cross-industry collaboration with significant scaling potential.
KEY TAKE AWAYS
Proof-of-concept: recycled polycotton materials with strength comparable to primary plastics.
A scalable circular pathway for one of the most challenging textile fractions.
Roadmap towards pilot production, regulatory readiness, and industrial commercialisation by 2030.
— Maria Englander, Material Expert, The Loop Factory
“With Fashion2House, we are showing that even one of the hardest-to-recycle textiles, polycotton, can become durable materials for household products.
For me, it’s about proving that waste can turn into something valuable and help build a more circular future.”
Next Steps:
Scaling Fashion2House Towards
Circular Manufacturing.
Fashion2House Step 2 moves the project from feasibility to real circular production. Running from November 2025 to November 2027, this next phase brings together RISE, H&M Group, Electrolux, Lumine North, Wargön Innovation and The Loop Factory to scale recycled polycotton from lab results to pilot manufacturing. The aim is to turn low-value textile waste into durable, high-performance components for household products, offering a credible alternative to virgin plastics at an industrial level.
The team will develop new prototypes, optimise materials and processes, and validate a full value chain linking fashion, textile sorting and home-product manufacturers. Sustainability assessments will measure reductions in carbon and resource use. At the same time, policy and market insights ensure alignment with upcoming EU rules and industry needs. The Loop Factory contributes with material development, process expertise and hands-on prototyping, ensuring solutions are both scalable and ready for industrial testing.
By delivering industrial prototypes, proven performance data, and a clear roadmap towards commercialisation, Fashion2House Step 2 lays the foundation for a new open-loop system in which textiles gain a second life in household applications. This work strengthens Sweden’s position in circular manufacturing. It shows how cross-industry collaboration, powered by practical innovation, can turn complex waste streams into scalable, sustainable materials.
Build Competitiveness With Circular,
Resource-Efficient Materials.
More substantial competitiveness through circular materials
We help companies shift from costly virgin plastics to high-performance recycled materials, lowering climate impact while strengthening market position and meeting rising customer expectations.
Reduced risk through regulation-ready solutions
With deep knowledge of EU rules, we support partners in developing future-proof, compliant, and strategically aligned materials and processes, reducing regulatory and investment risk.
Efficient value creation across sectors
By connecting fashion, sorting and home-product industries, we unlock resource-efficient value chains that turn waste into revenue and create new circular business opportunities.
WHY NONWOVEN?
Nonwoven is a sustainable solution for textile waste management.
Nonwoven technology offers an energy-efficient and versatile alternative for managing textile waste. It is less sensitive to fibre quality and can process even the most complex textile waste streams. By integrating various techniques, this approach enables the creation of new materials from secondary textile raw materials suitable for various applications.
the facts
The project is funded by Vinnova via Net Zero Industry wich is a joint initiative of Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency.
Period: 10/2024– 10/2025
Project owner: RISE
Partners: The Loop Factory, H&M Home, Electrolux and Wargön Innovation.