Brightfiber Textiles launches groundbreaking clothing-to-clothing recycling factory in Amsterdam
Brightfiber Textiles, a pioneering sustainable textile company, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art recycling facility in Amsterdam dedicated to transforming discarded clothing into high-quality textile fibers. The factory, which partners with textile recycling specialist Wieland Textiles, marks a significant leap toward circularity in the fashion industry. It addresses the Netherlands’ growing textile waste crisis while advancing eco-friendly manufacturing.
The Netherlands generates approximately 300 million kilograms of discarded clothing annually, and technological limitations have historically hampered recycling efforts. Brightfiber Textiles’ new facility offers a scalable solution, converting post-consumer garments into reusable fibers for yarns, fabrics, and new apparel.
The factory employs a fully integrated mechanical process, leveraging Near-Infrared (NIR) sorting technology and automated machinery to separate, deconstruct, and refine textiles. Garments are stripped of non-textile components like buttons and zippers and transformed into spinnable raw materials—all within a single facility. This localized approach, situated in Amsterdam’s Metropolitan Region, prioritizes regional waste streams and reduces transportation emissions.
Brightfiber collaborates with European spinners and weavers to produce fibers in 15–20 colors, with at least 40% derived from recycled clothing. These fibers, blended with virgin materials for durability, are supplied to fashion, workwear, and interior design industries. Each product undergoes a life-cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify reductions in CO₂ emissions and water usage, underscoring the company’s commitment to transparency.
The factory’s launch aligns with the Netherlands’ Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, effective since July 2023. By 2025, manufacturers must incorporate 7.5% recycled fibers into new textiles, rising to 16.5% by 2030. Brightfiber’s solutions directly support compliance, positioning the company as a key player in the regulatory shift.
