At the K show in Düsseldorf, EREMA Group announced a strategic investment in Australian clean technology company BlockTexx. BlockTexx has developed a process to separate polyester and cellulose from post-consumer blended textiles, creating a polyester feedstock for downstream recycling. By combining this separation step with Erema's thermomechanical processing, the partners aim to scale post-consumer textile-to-textile recycling to industrial levels and close the loop for polyester in apparel. The collaboration focuses on returning polyester fibres to garment production while helping keep bottle-grade rPET in the bottle-to-bottle loop. The partners position the model as a combination of chemical separation, mechanical processing and fibre regeneration that can be deployed at industrial scale. The announcement underscores EREMA's multi-year R&D work in textile and fibre recycling and BlockTexx's move from demonstration to capacity expansion, with growing regulatory momentum in the EU expected to drive demand for post-consumer textile recycling solutions.
Technology integration and process scope
BlockTexx's process separates polyester and cellulose from post-consumer textiles and clothing, supplying the polyester stream for EREMA's technology. The Intarema FibrePro:IV system will process this polyester into recycled pellets suitable for new garment production. "Our thermomechanical recycling system is a core element for textile recycling," said Wolfgang Hermann, Business Development Manager for Fibres & Textiles at EREMA Group. "However, full-scale textile recycling requires a combination of technologies, with BlockTexx unlocking the solution for processing polyester-blended textiles."
Through the collaboration, EREMA highlights its commitment to closing the loop for polyester in apparel. "The PET fibre industry is three times the of the PET bottle industry. We have been investing in the research and development of textile and fibre recycling for several years. With the technology we already provide for PET fibre recycling, our next step is to aim for full-scale industrial textile recycling. We consider BlockTexx a key partner in this. Their technology paves the way for used textiles to re-enter the production cycle," said Manfred Hackl, CEO of EREMA Group.
Industrial-scale expansion
BlockTexx operates its first plant in Australia with a processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year and plans a second plant with 50,000 tonnes per year. Scaling up requires a strong investment partner. "Blended textiles like cotton-polyester account for over 60 per cent of global apparel production but are notoriously difficult to recycle due to fibre incompatibility and chemical contamination", said Adrian Jones, co-founder of BlockTexx. EREMA's investment adds capital along with recycling expertise, proven technology and infrastructure. Jones noted the collaborative approach: "Both companies share the same intellectual curiosity and EREMA Group was committed to this journey from day one."
Market context and policy drivers
According to global non-profit Textile Exchange, 75 million tonnes of synthetic fibres were produced in 2023, with polyester the most common at 57 per cent of total fibre output. Recycling rates for polyester are estimated at only 1 per cent. "Currently, nearly all the recycled polyester in the clothing you see in retail stores is derived from PET plastic bottles" said Graham Ross, co-founder of BlockTexx. Textile Exchange reports that recycled fibres represented 7.7 per cent of the global fibre market in 2023, with 7 per cent being recycled polyester from waste PET bottles.
Hackl emphasized the need to maintain closed loops for packaging: "The goal must be to ensure that rPET from bottles is returned to new bottles. This investment is not only positive for the textile industry, but also for the plastics industry. By keeping rPET in the bottle-to-bottle loop, we can stabilize supply and prices for the market."
With the European Union recently adopting binding rules that will make textile producers responsible for the collection, sorting and recycling of textile waste through mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, demand for post-consumer textile recycling solutions is expected to grow. "The EU legislation could fundamentally transform the sector. While most textile production takes place in Asia, Europe is a major consumer of fashion. This legislation will therefore have a significant global impact", Ross noted.
Outlook for circular textile systems
The partners describe a pathway that couples mechanical processing with chemical separation to enable fibre-to-fibre applications. "Twenty-five years ago, people could not imagine bottle-to-bottle recycling. Today it is standard. I believe the same will happen for textile-to-textile recycling", said Hackl. Jones added: "The textile industry has been slow to recognize the importance of recycling, often citing difficulties as an excuse. Now there are no more excuses. Textile-to-textile recycling will become a reality at industrial-scale through the collaboration between EREMA and BlockTexx."
Stakeholders can learn more at the Textile Exchange Conference in Lisbon, 13-17 October 2025, where EREMA Group and BlockTexx plan to participate.
From left: Manfred Hackl (EREMA Group), Graham Ross (BlockTexx), Wolfgang Hermann (EREMA Group), and Adrian Jones (BlockTexx) holding the new fabric made from 100% recycled polyester at the Edvanced Recycling Center
