New AFIS 6 Recycling Module helps spinners optimise recycled fibre blending, process control and profitability through data-driven insights.
Uster has introduced a new tool designed to support textile manufacturers using recycled fibres. The company has launched the Recycling Opening Index (ROI) as part of the Uster AFIS 6 R Recycling Module, providing spinners with objective measurement data to evaluate fibre opening efficiency, optimise blending strategies and improve process control.
The new solution made its official debut at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye, where Uster presented the latest addition to its fibre analysis platform.
New metric supports recycled fibre processing
According to Uster, the textile industry is placing increasing emphasis on cotton recycling due to growing textile waste, resource constraints, climate considerations and regulatory requirements.
The company said the new Recycling Opening Index enables manufacturers to make more informed decisions when blending recycled fibres by providing measurable indicators of processability and profitability.
The Recycling Opening Index measures the effectiveness of the opening process during cotton fibre recycling by comparing the number of opened fibres with the remaining yarn fragments, known as hard ends.
Post-industrial waste remains the primary recycling source
Industry data cited by Uster indicates that approximately 75% of textile waste consists of post-consumer waste, while post-industrial (pre-consumer) waste accounts for around 25%.
However, nearly 95–99% of post-industrial textile waste is already being recycled because it is cleaner, more consistent and easier to process.
The company noted that spinning mills typically begin recycling operations with post-industrial waste before gradually introducing pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials into fibre blends.
Objective data for process optimisation
The Uster AFIS 6 R Recycling Module provides two key measurements:
- Recycling Opening Index (ROI)
- Total Yarn Pieces
The “Total Yarn Pieces” value represents the amount of yarn fragments in recycled raw material that have not yet been separated into individual fibres.
According to Uster, a low ROI value indicates an insufficient fibre opening process, which may contribute to:
- Yarn irregularity (IPI)
- Weak spots
- Uneven yarn surface structure
- Spinning process disruptions
The company said the new metric offers spinners a quantitative method to assess fibre opening quality for the first time, helping improve recycled cotton processing and production efficiency.
Supporting circular textile manufacturing
Uster stated that the new Recycling Opening Index provides textile manufacturers with additional process data to improve recycled fibre quality while supporting the industry’s transition towards circular textile production.
The company believes the new measurement tool can help optimise fibre blends, improve yarn quality and support economic performance when using recycled raw materials.
