(Bailu Group (Xinxiang Chemical Fiber Co.) has announced the commissioning of its new BylurRecel pilot facility, taking a significant step towards circularity in China’s Man-Made Cellulosic Fibre (MMCF) sector. The small-scale production line focuses on creating regenerated cellulosic fibres using recovered textiles, predominantly post-consumer materials such as discarded hotel linens, alongside pre-consumer industrial waste.
The BylurRecel line adopts an innovative direct-dissolution process that bypasses the traditional dissolving pulp stage, offering the potential to reduce energy, water, and chemical consumption significantly. Although still in early development, the new method holds the promise of a lighter environmental footprint compared to conventional viscose production.
The pilot plant currently has an annual capacity of 1,000 tonnes of viscose staple fibre, with plans underway for an additional 1,000-tonne viscose filament fibre line. In 2025, Bailu anticipates producing approximately 600 tonnes of Next Gen fibre. Full-scale production targets will be refined based on the operational outcomes of the pilot phase and supply chain optimization.
Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy, praised the milestone, stating, “Congratulations to Bailu Group on the commissioning of its BylurRecel pilot facility. This project represents an important advance toward scaling Next Gen solutions and reducing dependency on vital forest ecosystems. We are excited to follow Bailu’s progress toward full commercialisation.”
At commercial scale, BylurRecel is poised to contribute significantly to China’s national objective of reducing textile waste by 30% by 2030, supporting a closed-loop model of “textiles–consumption–reuse.”
The BylurRecel launch builds on Bailu Group’s broader sustainability initiatives, complementing its BAILU-ECO viscose filament yarn made with Södra’s OnceMore™ recycled pulp. Based in Henan Province with an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes, Bailu Group has been a Canopy partner since 2018, earning a Dark Green Shirt ranking in Canopy’s 2024 Hot Button Report and maintaining a low-risk assessment for sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests.
Through innovation and investment in Next Gen technologies, Bailu Group reinforces its leadership role in shaping a more sustainable and circular future for the MMCF sector.
