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HeiQ introduces ‘Climate Positive’ AeoniQ cellulosic yarn

Last updated: Aug 31, 2022

Summary

Swiss textile technology company HeiQ announces the introduction of HeiQ AeoniQ- a high-performance cellulose yarn based on a novel fiber created from carbon negative. HeiQ AeoniQ is derived from third-generation cellulosic biopolymers and is advancing to pilot production prior to mass commercialization

Problem

Traditional cellulosic fiber production needs arable land during growth and has limited design diversity, but raw resources for fossil-based synthetic materials are finite. Existing technologies for recycling textile fabrics and clothes created with all fibers are, for the most part, still not at scale, and most fibers – synthetic or natural – take several years to decompose in landfills or seas, resulting in the environmental build-up

Solution

Cellulosic biopolymers used in AeoniQ yarns bind carbon from the atmosphere while producing oxygen during growth, the high-performance yarn has the potential to replace synthetic filament yarns. Furthermore, unlike traditional cellulosic goods, AeoniQ yarns are produced without the use of arable land, pesticides, or fertilizer. HeiQ AeoniQ yarns are designed for cradle-to-cradle circularity, which means they can be recycled multiple times while maintaining consistent fiber quality.

Outcome

HeiQ AeoniQ is designed to give comparable performance attributes to polyester, nylon, and traditional regenerated cellulose yarns, and the manufacturing method is expected to use 99 percent less water than cotton yarns. HeiQ AeoniQ is a continuous cellulosic filament yarn. During growth, the biopolymers bind carbon from the atmosphere while generating oxygen. Can be recycled eternally without loss of performance and is Biodegradable.