Meet the partners: Aalto

Aalto University, based in Finland, is a key academic partner in the BioSusTex project, contributing deep expertise in sustainable textile innovation, fibre chemistry, and cellulose recycling. Through its Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto plays a central role in advancing environmentally sound solutions for textile waste management and circularity. The university’s research activities within BioSusTex are led by a multidisciplinary team with a strong record in academic research, technological development, and collaboration with industry.

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The team includes Dr. Ali Tehrani, Associate Professor and head of the Textile Chemistry research group, who leads Work Package 1 (WP1). This work package focuses on developing methods for color stripping and elastane removal from post-consumer cellulosic textile waste. Dr. Tehrani’s expertise in textile pre-processing and previous research achievements in colour removal provide a critical foundation for optimizing recycling processes. Dr. Michael Hummel, also an Associate Professor, leads Work Package 2 (WP2), which targets fibre-to-fibre recycling of cellulosic textiles. As one of the inventors of the Ioncell® process—a pioneering Lyocell-type fibre production technology—he brings more than a decade of experience in cellulose fibre spinning. Dr. Ali Tarhini, Postdoctoral Researcher, supports WP2 through his specialization in man-made cellulosic fibres and nonwovens, focusing specifically on recycling dope-dyed fibres. Meanwhile, Dr. Md. Reazuddin Repon, another Postdoctoral Researcher, contributes to WP1 with his expertise in textile chemistry, dye removal, and fibre finishing, helping to refine colour stripping processes for sustainable fibre recovery.

Aalto University’s participation in BioSusTex aims to address several critical challenges in textile recycling. These include developing safe and effective techniques to separate elastane from cellulosic blends and removing persistent dyes, particularly reactive dyes that form strong chemical bonds with cellulose. By overcoming these technical hurdles, Aalto seeks to produce high-quality, recyclable cellulosic feedstock suitable for both mechanical and chemical recycling. The team also focuses on identifying dyes suitable for dope-dyeing processes and creating scalable methods to recycle textiles coloured in this way using Lyocell-type and viscose processes.

These objectives align closely with Aalto University’s institutional commitment to sustainability. As part of its broader strategy, Aalto aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and significantly reduce climate emissions through sustainable practices across its operations. The BioSusTex project supports this goal by promoting resource efficiency, minimizing waste, and advancing circular business models in the textile sector. The work also aligns with the strategic focus of the School of Chemical Engineering on the sustainable processing of natural materials, using energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods.

Aalto’s role in BioSusTex is further strengthened by its legacy in sustainable textile innovation. The Ioncell® process, developed jointly by Aalto and the University of Helsinki, is a prime example of the university’s leadership in cellulose-based fibre technologies. In addition to Ioncell®, the university has led or contributed to numerous related initiatives such as the Trash-2-Cash project, FINIX, TexirC, and FinnFiberColor, all aimed at developing sustainable textile systems and improving fibre recovery, sorting, and recycling. These past projects have provided both technical insights and operational models that directly benefit the objectives of BioSusTex.

Through its participation, Aalto expects to gain valuable insights from the consortium, especially in areas such as Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD), life cycle assessment, eco-friendly material treatment, and European regulatory compliance. The collaborative environment within BioSusTex also offers Aalto the opportunity to strengthen relationships with industry stakeholders, paving the way for the practical application of its research findings and the advancement of sustainable innovation in the textile sector.

Ultimately, BioSusTex is an exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative initiative that can reshape the future of the textile industry. By combining advanced research with practical implementation, the consortium is poised to deliver solutions that make circular textile production not only possible but scalable. Aalto is proud to contribute to this shared vision and is committed to helping drive meaningful change through science, innovation, and collaboration.