Spinnova unveils wood-fiber fabric

Finnish fabric innovator Spinnova Oy has unveiled its wood-fiber yarn; the wood-fiber manufacturing method was originally developed by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Spinnova has continued to develop the technique.

Spinnova’s technology uses no chemicals, or energy- and water-consuming steps, so the environmental footprint will be much smaller than for polymer or cotton-fiber processes, the company says. The manufacturing method consumes 99 percent less water and 80 percent less energy than cotton.

In Spinnova’s manufacturing process, wood fibers form in the same direction and become something closely resembling a filament fiber. The method combines the web-weaving method of spiders with paper manufacture. The most suitable raw material is provided by spruce and pine.

Based in Jyväskylä, Spinnova Oy was recently selected as one of the best eight European cleantech startup companies at European Venture Summit EVS2016 at Dusseldorf.