Eastman accelerates the circular economy by revolutionizing recycling

• March 20, 2022

Innovative and trailblazing, Eastman’s advances have taken its position as a thought leader in sustainability to an unprecedented new level, driven by a commitment to educate the industry while improving the health of consumers and the planet. Several significant developments tell the story.

A CLOSER LOOK

Eastman’s new molecular recycling process breaks down waste otherwise destined for landfills, incineration, or other undesirable end-of-life options and uses them as feedstock to create acetic acid, a biodegradable organic acid. This acetic acid is then used to produce Eastman Naia^™ Renew cellulosic fiber for spun and filament yarns. Because waste is broken down to its molecular level, material such as post-consumer carpets can be recycled infinitely without compromising on comfort, quality and appearance of new materials made.

Of the feedstock used to produce Naia^™ Renew, 60 percent comes from sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40 percent comes from certified* recycled content.

“Through molecular recycling, we are helping to solve the global waste problem and reduce our carbon footprint,” says Dnyanada Satam, global market segment manager for home textiles at Eastman. “We’re not just talking about plastic bottles; we’re taking a more comprehensive approach to recycling because we can use a wide variety of waste materials from different industries to produce Naia^™ Renew.” 

WASTE CRISIS A TOP-TIER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN 

Today’s consumers are just as concerned about waste as they are about climate change, air quality, and water quality. They understand how molecular recycling benefits them and the planet. As a result, brands that are first to offer solutions via molecular recycling have a tremendous—and so far untapped—opportunity to drive sales, brand equity, and consumer loyalty.

These interesting findings come from a recent Eastman survey of 2,000 U.S. and European consumers conducted to help its industry partners accelerate consumer understanding of molecular recycling.

“Consumers are on the same path as we are,” Satam is proud to say. “They demand sustainable materials. And with Naia^™ Renew, they now have that option in the home textiles market.”

She goes on to explain that, as an industry, home textiles is always looking toward  the fashion market to discover exciting new trends. Naia^™ Renew is a perfect example. This season, fashion icon H&M is featuring a pioneering new fashion collection that incorporates Naia^™ Renew. As H&M’s most circular collection ever, the Innovation Stories series spotlights new approaches to recyclability and circularity by showcasing new material innovations and cutting-edge waste-conscious techniques.

TRANSLATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO BETTER SLEEP 

Naia^™ Renew is an ideal solution for textile brands dedicated to meeting the growing consumer demand for sustainable solutions.

Getting a restful night’s sleep is vital for our overall health and well-being; and bedding made with Naia^™ Renew cellulosic fiber can help us get there with three key benefits to ensure we wake up refreshed, restored, and at ease: comfort, long-lasting quality, and sustainability.

“One of the greatest strengths of Naia^™ Renew is that this is not pie-in-the-sky thinking. This is sheets-on-the-bed reality,“ Satam says. “A truly circular solution available right now, Naia^™ Renew checks all the boxes for softness, long-lasting quality, ease of care, and sustainability. And that should give everyone a better night’s sleep.”

“We want consumers who purchase Naia^™ Renew-based products to wake up to a better tomorrow—confident they are doing their part to make a positive impact on their household and reducing the impact on our shared home, Earth,” Satam concludes. “We invite our partners in the home textiles arena to explore the important value-added solution Naia^™ Renew represents.”

*Naia™ Renew recycled content is achieved by allocation of recycled waste material using an ISCC-certified mass balance process.

Oceantex Collection – EverTru Fabrics

Detroit, MI – Outdoor Fabric Manufacturer EverTru Fabrics, a division of Arden Companies and a member of the Central Garden & Pet family, launched its Oceantex Collection in 2021. Oceantex is a sustainable fabric offering for outdoor cushions and pillows with plans for substantial growth in 2022 and beyond. EverTru’s flagship textile offering is its 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic performance fabric and is now adding multiple sustainable fabric options to its lineup.