Ioncell is the strongest cellulosic fibre in the world
Ioncell is a technology that turns used textiles, pulp or even old newspapers into new textile fibres sustainably and without harmful chemicals. The process converts cellulose into fibres, which in turn can be made into long-lasting fabrics. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Ioncell Oy CEO & Co-founder Antti Ronkko explains the technology, advantages and its future plan.
What is Ioncell technology, and how does it work?
Patented Ioncell technology creates very strong, high-quality textile fibres from cellulosic feedstock in a sustainable way.
First, non-toxic ionic liquid is used to dissolve cellulose polymers from the feedstock to create a spinning solution. Then, the spinning solution is extruded through spinnerets and an air-gap into simple water bath. Finally, water and ionic liquids are both recycled 99%+ in the closed-loop process.
What are the advantages of using Ioncell over traditional methods of producing textile fibres?
Ioncell technology offers several advantages over traditional textile fibres:
(1) By substituting problematic cotton, viscose and polyester with sustainable Ioncell fibres, we are able to make a significant sustainability impact on a global level. Ioncell technology supports the EU textile strategy 2030 and several UN Sustainable Development Goals.
(2) Ioncell fibres made from used cotton textiles are even 2x stronger than the original virgin cotton fibres! Therefore, Ioncell technology can even improve the quality of feedstock when cellulosic textile waste is recycled into new fibres, supporting the inevitable transformation to circular economy in the clothing and textile industry.
(3) Ioncell technology uses sustainable and very simple chemistry. Ioncell technology uses only water and safe, non-toxic ionic liquids, which are both recycled 99%+ in the closed-loop process.
(4) Ioncell technology can use 100 per cent textile waste as raw material.
(5) Ioncell is the strongest cellulosic textile fibre in the world, reaching tenacities up to 60 cN/tex. These very strong, moisture absorbing, and breathable fibres can be spun into high-quality yarns, and furthermore into high-quality, long-lasting clothes and other textile products.
In short,
oIoncell is the strongest cellulosic fibre in the world – made from 100 per cent textile waste,
oYarns and products can be made from 100 per cent Ioncell fibres, without the need to blend with other (virgin) materials, providing the maximum sustainability impact, and
oIoncell is the sustainable, high-quality alternative to cotton, viscose and polyester.
What types of materials can be used with this technology?
As feedstock, Ioncell technology uses cellulosic pulp that can be made from cellulose-containing textile waste or certified wood.
How environmentally friendly is the process?
Overall, Ioncell process is very environmentally friendly. Its technology uses sustainable and very simple chemistry. It uses only water and safe, non-toxic ionic liquids, which are both recycled 99%+ in the closed-loop process.
Is Ioncell technology commercially viable for large-scale production?
Ioncell technology has not yet been used in commercial scale, but there are no identified barriers to use it on commercial scale.
What different types of textiles can be produced using this technology?
Ioncell is very strong and high-quality textile fibre, and therefore it is well-suited for many different types of high-quality clothing and textile applications. Due to its high strength, clothing and textile products can be made from 100 per cent Ioncell, without the need to blend it with other (virgin) materials.
What is the durability of Ioncell fibres compared to traditional textile fibres?
The very strong, moisture absorbing and breathable Ioncell fibres can be spun into high-quality yarns, and furthermore into high-quality, long-lasting clothes and other textile products.
How does Ioncell compare to other sustainable textile production methods?
The Touch and feel of Ioncell is close to Tencel/Lyocell. However, compared to traditional NMMO-based Lyocell, Ioncell technology provides some advantages: as ionic liquid is powerful, inert and chemically stable solvent, ionic liquid is better suited for using cellulosic textile waste as raw material. Therefore, Ioncell fibres can be made from 100 per cent textile waste, and Ioncell fibres are also stronger than Lyocell fibres.
Ioncell differentiates from the other emerging, sustainable production methods by being the strongest cellulosic fibre in the world – made from 100 per cent textile waste.
What is the future of Ioncell technology, and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?
Ioncell technology will be commercialised over the coming years. After closing the current funding round, we will continue the technology development at our pilot plant, and then move on to a demo and commercial plant. In the end, we will licence the Ioncell technology to fibre producers.
Can you provide examples of companies or products that are currently using Ioncell technology?
Ioncell technology is not yet in commercial use, but we have already created several demo products, for example with the Finnish fashion company Marimekko.
Interviewer: Shilpi Panjabi
Published on: 05/04/2023
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
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