Green chemicals and technologies for the wood-to-textile value chain

The need to create garments that are sustainable is at the heart of an eco-fashion movement. There is a growing demand for alternatives to fossil-based fibres and cotton that require the use of toxic chemicals. In response, the EU-funded GRETE project aims to improve the wood-to-textile value chain, which is currently limited to highly processed dissolving grade pulps. The project will develop technologies whereby paper grade pulps from softwood and hardwood sources are used as raw material for man-made textile fibres. GRETE’s aim is to enable increased production of man-made cellulose fibres in Europe. The project will also design safe and sustainable solvent systems for the production of regenerated cellulose fibres.