Spinning Recycled and Short-Staple Fibres
topic
Recycled fibres (mechanically recycled cotton: fibre length 8–14 mm, tenacity 15–20 cN/tex; recycled polyester staple: 32–38 mm, well-controlled) present different challenges for ring spinning: short recycled cotton requires modified roller settings (closer spacing), higher TM (+20–30%), lower spindle speeds (−20%), and accepts only coarser yarn counts (Ne 6–20). Blending recycled fibres with virgin fibres (30–50% recycled) improves spinnability while meeting sustainability targets.
Role
Recycled fibre ring spinning is the fastest-growing process challenge in the textile industry, driven by EU sustainability regulations requiring 50% recycled content in textiles by 2030. Understanding the process adjustments required to spin recycled fibres on conventional ring frames — and their quality limitations compared to virgin fibre yarn — is the knowledge that enables mills to participate in the sustainability-driven premium market without investing in entirely new equipment.