History

SaXcell’s journey started back in 2011 when a team of researchers
from Saxion University of Applied Science in Enschede (NL) created the SaXcell project.

2011Idea first trials

The researchers were deeply concerned with the enormous volumes of textile waste across the globe causing huge environmental problems. What if textile waste can be used to make new fibers which in turn can be used to make new textiles? The ideas for a recycling process -breaking down the molecules of the used textiles- were tested in Saxion’s laboratory.

2012Proof of principle

The researchers succeeded in dissolving cotton waste and subsequently convert the liquid back into solid substance. The first patent was filed.

2015Founding SaXcell BV

Gerrit Bouwhuis, Ger Brinks, Henk Gooijer (†), Pramod Agrawal and Jens Oelerich- supported by Saxion University founded the start-up company SaXcell BV to further develop the recycling technology for commercial use. SaXcell used textile waste to produce the first batch of 50 kg of SaXell fibers. The fibers were used to produce a non-blended fabric used for making garments worn by some key speakers at a sustainability conference in October 2015.

2016Spinning of SaXcell at rieter

The SaXcell research team was invited by Rieter, the world’s leading supplier of systems for staple fiber spinning, to test SaXcell fibers on the most modern machines for spinning SaXcell yarn.

2017From laboratory to production

Within the TechForFuture (TFF) project ‘Upscaling of Cotton Recycling’ SaXcell researchers produced 90 kg of SaXcell fibers. The successful results were presented in March 2017.

2017Spinning and weaving SaXcell in Denizli Turkey

SaXcell produced 100 kg pulp made from textile waste from Wevotex and turned into fibers in the wetspinning facilities of TITK in Germany. The fibers were spun and woven by Turkish partners Ugurlular, Selin Tekstil and Modeko. Second patent was filed and granted.

2019 Regiodeal circular textile twente (NL)

As part of a publicly funded project ‘Regiodeal Circulair Textiel Twente’ Saxion University started setting up a new laboratory in The Netherlands. SaXcell was allowed to use the laboratory for -amongst others- testing SaXcell’s feedstock and pulp.

2020Starting a pilot production facility

In 2020 new investors signed a shareholders agreement of SaXcell BV making it possible to set up a pilot production facility in Goor (NL), supplemented with a contribution from the Regiodeal Circular Textile Twente.
The new shareholders all play an important role in the textile value chain; from collecting and sorting used textiles to spinning and weaving new textiles.
The goal of the facility was to demonstrate production of 100 kg of pulp per day in the most sustainable way. Within a year the pilot factory was realised and the results proofed to be very promising.

2022-2024Design of production facility in NL

Based on the learnings of the pilot production phase the SaXcell team radically changed the process of making pulp. The new technology is at the heart of the new design for a production facility in NL (750 tons/year) and the design of a Pulp Development Center. A new location for the production facility was secured in Enschede (NL).
A significant EU-contribution -the Regio Green Tex project (2022-2025)- helped financing the design and engineering of the production facility.

2023Collaboration with birla cellulose

SaXcell started collaborating with Birla Cellulose for the production of recycled man-made cellulosic fibers. SaXcell's textile waste pulping technology combined with Birla's advanced wet spinning expertise results in high quality sustainable SaXcell recycled fibers serving the circular textile needs of customers at commercial scale.