Asahi Kasei: 'Bemberg' a regenerated cupro fibre made from cotton by-product | Knowledge Hub | Circle Economy Foundation
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Asahi Kasei: 'Bemberg' a regenerated cupro fibre made from cotton by-product
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Asahi Kasei is a Japanese chemical producer who started producing a GRS-certified cupro fibre called 'Bemberg'. This fibre is made from 100% pre-consumer waste; cotton linter, a by-product that's removed when extracting cottonseed oil. It has a wide variety of applications such as lining, underwear and activewear with a production capacity of 17,000 tonnes annually. 

Problem

Often regenerated cellulose fibres are produced using wood from endangered or ancient forests, contributing to the climate and biodiversity crisis.

Solution

Asahi Kasei has developed a technology to produce a performing regenerated cellulose cupro fibre from cotton linter, registered as Bemberg. The cotton linter is a pre-consumer waste by-product of the cotton plant, the part discarded when cottonseed oil is extracted. The cotton linter is then refined and spun into fine filament and staple yarns and, according to Asahi Kasei, surpasses cotton in comfort. On-site power generation facilities mean that 40% of Asahi Kasei's energy is renewable and derived from hydropower and biomass sources. Asahi Kasei has also achieved almost zero emissions by upcycling fibre waste from Bemberg manufacturing to produce fuel used to power its plant. Asahi Kasei also uses Bemberg waste to create mushroom beds and work gloves. 

Additional information

Bemberg fibre is biodegradable when buried in the soil, and in summer conditions of temperature 35°C, humidity 80% can degrade by 50% in two months. 

Relevant links
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Closing the loop of Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres through chemical recycling

Organisations
Asahi Kasei
Location
Key elements of the circular economy
Impacts
Industries
Four Flows Framework
WCTD Themes
Tags

recycling

textile fibre

cotton

cupro fibre

Cellulose based textiles

pre-consumer waste

by-product