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 virgin 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 virgin 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.”
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.