Circulose Joins Forces With Canopy on Responsible Cellulosic Fibers

Textile-to-textile recycler Circulose is working with a familiar face.

The Swedish company—previously known as Renewcell before filing for bankruptcy in 2024 and re-emerging months later under the name of its proprietary recycled material—has once again joined forces with environmental nonprofit Canopy. Circulose has pledged to help protect ancient and endangered forests by participating in both the CanopyStyle and Pack4Good initiatives.

CanopyStyle partners with fashion brands, designers and suppliers to phase out or responsibly use man-made cellulosic fibers such as viscose, rayon, modal and lyocell without harming forests, while also promoting alternatives to the materials. Circulose embodies that mission, as its eponymous material is made from 100-percent upcycled cellulosic textile waste, providing an alternative to virgin man-made cellulosic fibers.

Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative similarly aims to protect forests by working with partners to reduce waste from packaging and shipping materials. According to Canopy, more than 3.4 billion trees are logged annually for packaging and fabrics, and Pack4Good has signed on more than 400 companies who’ve pledged to reduce their packaging impact. 

“Everyone has a role to play, and collaboration is key—but bold action is essential to protect natural ecosystems,” said Anna Sammarco, senior director of circular business development at Circulose. “Together (with Canopy), we are making a difference with Circulose, a proven product made entirely from discarded textiles that replaces virgin materials at scale. Available globally, this validated material delivers the same look and feel, transforming yesterday’s textile waste into tomorrow’s fashion.” 

Circulose emerged from the ashes of Renewcell’s bankruptcy last summer after Stockholm-based private equity firm Altor acquired the company’s assets, including a commercial-scale plant in Sundsvall. Since then, it has remained focused on producing a next-gen alternative to virgin cotton and man-made cellulosic fibers.

Canopy has long been a supporter of Circulose, with the organization’s executive director, Nicole Rycroft, saying last year after the company’s re-emergence that, “We always believed the phoenix would rise from the ashes. The fashion industry has learned vital lessons from the Renewcell experience. The fashion value chain is now better equipped to ensure these innovations reach market adoption more smoothly. Many brands and producers stepped up, providing the confidence investors needed to move forward.”

Rycroft welcomed Circulose back into the Canopy fold, optimistic that their next-gen material will be an important tool in forwarding the organization’s mission.

“(Circulose’s) commitment to transforming supply chains and embracing circular alternatives is a vital step forward in our collective effort to keep forests standing, species thriving and carbon safely stored,” she said.