Mumbai Birla Cellulose is committing to buy from a U.S. company that wants to speed up the expansion of fiber recycling as part of a new strategic collaboration.
Birla Cellulose has partnered with Circ, a manufacturing and material technology company that was a finalist for the 2023 Earthshot Prize and a 2024 Fast Company Most Innovative Company. For a period of five years, the Indian-based company has agreed to buy up to 5,000 tons of Circ’s pulp annually from Circ’s first commercial-scale factory.
In order to improve access to recycled materials and assist Circ in expanding its commercial production, the pulp will be transformed into lyocell staple fiber.
Peter Majeranowski, CEO of Circ, which is headquartered in Danville, Virginia, a former hub of the U.S. textile industry, stated, “Our partnership with Birla Cellulose, a leading global producer of MMCFs, is significant as it demonstrates both Circ’s ongoing progress towards scalability as well as the industry’s commitment to investing in a truly circular economy.”
Grasim Industries Limited, Birla Cellulose’s flagship company, produces the cellulose MMCFs.
Grasim Industries Limited’s chief technology officer, Dr. Aspi Patel, stated that the company’s dedication to environmental responsibility is shown in the collaboration with Circ.
“We are greatly increasing the potential for a truly circular economy by combining our cellulosic fibers with Circ’s state-of-the-art recycling technology,” Patel continued.
