PICVISA and Girbau launch fully automated textile sorting plant in Northern Europe. Spanish technology firms PICVISA and Girbau have partnered to launch what they describe as one of Europe's first fully automated post-consumer textile sorting plants, combining Girbau's Sortech automated feeding system with PICVISA's ECOSORT optical sorting technology in a single continuous line at a new facility in Northern Europe.
The plant uses AI-based optical sorting to classify used garments by composition, colour and type, producing homogeneous fractions for second-hand markets and textile recycling. The companies say the integration of automated feeding with advanced sorting increases line productivity while reducing reliance on manual labour.
The installation is PICVISA's eighth ECOSORT deployment in Europe and its second turnkey textile sorting plant on the continent. Both firms say the model can be replicated globally as regulatory pressure and recycling targets drive demand for industrial-scale textile sorting infrastructure.
Packaging firm Pact Group has invested in Plan B Circular, the UK textile-to-textile polyester recycler behind Project Re:claim, its joint venture with the Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). The deal aims to scale polyester recycling ahead of EU legislation expected in 2028.
Sixteen international partners led by Danish Technological Institute have launched InFACT, a project to turn household flexible plastic waste such as crisp packets, coffee bags and meat films into new packaging, including food packaging. Less than 15 per cent of this material is currently recycled.