The GRETE results

Currently, the raw material base to produce man-made cellulosic fibres from wood is limited as only highly processed and pure cellulose (dissolving-grade) pulp is used industrially.

GRETE enhances the utilisation of wood biomass from sustainable European sources for the textile industry. Thanks to chemical and enzymatic modification procedures for softwood and hardwood Kraft pulp, a novel raw material for bio-based textiles is made accessible. The use of standard (paper-grade) wood pulp for cellulosic fibre production results in lower environmental impact and reduced production steps.

Novel solvents for cellulose dissolution and regeneration

Novel solvents for cellulose dissolution and regeneration

Textile production and finishing treatments make use of extensive wet processes, this applies also when utilising commercial man-made cellulosic fibres.

With innovative treatments that are applied either to the pulp or at a later stage, the GRETE process creates novel high-quality man-made cellulosic textile fibres with tailored properties enabling water-scarce finishing treatments. This allows for an innovative textile industry that radically decreases its environmental footprint.

Novel raw material base for the textile industry

Novel raw material base for the textile industry

The common solvent systems for commercial man-made cellulosic fibres are far from optimal being based on toxic and explosive chemicals.

In GRETE innovative green chemicals for man-made cellulosic fibres manufacturing are developed that are based on novel liquid salts. The GRETE solvent system increases safety, sustainability and economic viability of a bio-based textile fibres production.

Novel high-quality fibres with tailored properties

Novel raw material base for the textile industry

Strengthening the European bio-based industry by creating new business opportunities

The technologies defined in the GRETE project widen the raw material base for man-made cellulosic fibres manufacturing while increasing safety and economic viability of a sustainable wood-to-textile value chain. The industrial exploitation of the achieved results is expected to happen throughout the next decade.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (FI) - Coordinator

University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry (FI)

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences BOKU (AT)

University of Aveiro (PT)

Metsä Spring - Metsä Group (FI)

CELBI Celulose Beira Industrial - Altri Group (PT)

Materially Impresa Sociale (IT)

BETA Technological Centre UVic-UCC (ES)

The GRETE green chemicals and technologies increase safety, sustainability and economic viability of the European bio-based textile fibre production.

GRETE project has received funding from the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

The GRETE project supports the strategic orientations of the bio-based industry and contributes to the European Commission’s objectives to develop a more resource efficient and sustainable low carbon economy.

International collaboration of excellence connecting Europe’s North and South

The GRETE project is implemented by a consortium of 8 partners, connecting 5 European countries: Finland, Austria, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

The consortium is characterised by a mixture of institutions with complementary competences, being anchored in various fields of activity such as research, consultancy and industry.