Purfi announces joint venture with Concordia Textiles

The joint venture will present integration of ground-breaking sustainable textile technologies and enduring manufacturing practices in the creation of the first global circular fibre company with the ability to drastically minimise the irresponsible disposal of textile waste worldwide, said Purfi in a media statement.

The partnership will position Purfi to realise a global reach with it supplying exclusive circular fibre technologies which transform textile waste, regardless of composition, into fibres that are equal or superior in all aspects to virgin materials. In addition to fibre rejuvenation technologies, Purfi will bring its state-of-the-art fibre lineage software which tracks fibres from their origins to their final destination. This technology will provide a system of accountability throughout the entire process from downstream manufacturers to upstream retailers.

“Baekelandt and I recognised the importance of utilising waste in manufacturing and the lack of that practice in the market. There aren’t any textile manufacturers making virgin quality products from textile waste without a premium. On top of that, we shared a vision to take Purfi’s technologies and commercialise them at a global scale,” said Nunn.

Concordia has the expertise to facilitate rapid global expansion. Founded in 1925, Concordia has nearly a century of expertise in textile manufacturing and finishing. As a completely vertically integrated textile manufacturer controlling the entire production flow from sizing and warp beaming over weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing, coating and laminating fabrics, the company is excited to be at the forefront of innovation and expand into sustainable fibre production.

"Some years ago, textiles made from recycled materials were just ‘nice to have’ in one’s product range. Today they are a must-have. More and more responsible brands commit themselves to using textiles made from rejuvenated fibres in their offering. Right from the start, Nunn and I understood that combining the patented technology of Purfi with the Concordia Textiles Group’s extensive know-how of fabrics would enable us to contribute to textile upcycling on a global level. We consider the integration of circular economy principles in the strategy of our customers as one of the key pillars of our commitment to society," said Baekelandt.

With the globalisation of the circular fibre technologies and their traceability, Purfi gives a high-end home, for a lower price, to fibres that would otherwise become shoddy or landfill. Purfi is dedicated to preserving resources, both natural and manmade, through sustainable technology and manufacturing practices. Production is set to begin at the start of 2020 in Belgium. (PC)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India