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Pontetorto gets ISO14001 certification
Italian knitter unveils innovative recycling system for circular textile production.
3rd March 2025
Knitting Industry
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Prato, Italy
The global textile industry is undergoing a radical transformation, and Pontetorto is once again at the forefront with its pioneering Textile to Textile (T2T) system. This new technology recycles polyester waste into high-quality, sustainable textiles, reinforcing the company's commitment to circularity and environmental responsibility.
With more than 100 billion garments produced each year, a significant portion ends up in landfills or incinerators, Pontetorto says. In Europe, textiles rank fourth in environmental impact, third in water and soil consumption, and fifth in raw material use. Approximately 5.8 million tonnes of textiles are discarded annually - equating to 11 kilograms per person. Globally, the equivalent of a truckload of textiles is sent to waste every second. Given that many garments do not fit into reuse, repair, or resale channels, recycling remains the most viable solution for sustainable industry development.
Pontetorto is actively driving the transition towards a circular textile economy, ensuring that end-of-life garments can be repurposed into new yarns through advanced mechanical processes. The company has been a leader in sustainability since its founding in 1952 in the Prato district, an area historically renowned for textile recycling. Today, the firm’s innovation continues with its in-house circularity approach, utilising cutting-edge technology to close the loop in textile production.
"Our company," explains Marco Toccafondi, General Manager of Pontetorto, "produces textile waste during the finishing process. This waste, previously destined for disposal, is now recovered, separated by colour, cleaned of impurities, and converted into new recycled fibres for weaving. All processing steps adhere to strict sustainability standards, resulting in fully recycled fabrics. This concept echoes the traditional practices of our region from sixty or seventy years ago but is now enhanced with state-of-the-art technology. By recovering textile waste from both our own production and garment makers, we not only promote sustainability but also help reduce disposal costs for manufacturers."
Pontetorto will showcase its T2T system at Performance Days Munich on 5-6 March 2025 at Booth F06-F07-F08.
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