Sustainability
Each ton saves 5 tons of carbon emissions!
Textiles cause more than 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, use more than 20% of global industrial water, are the largest source of plastic microfibers in the oceans, and are one of the largest contributors to waste in landfills. This is a serious problem for each one of us. HeiQ AeoniQ™ is part of the solution.
Sustainability
Each ton saves 5 tons of carbon emissions!
Textiles cause more than 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, use more than 20% of global industrial water, are the largest source of plastic microfibers in the oceans, and are one of the largest contributors to waste in landfills. This is a serious problem for each one of us. HeiQ AeoniQ™ is part of the solution.
By 2050 it is estimated that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish.
“Circular Fibres Initiative analysis; Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017”
A burgeoning world population with its associated growing textile demand has led to an annual fiber consumption of more than 14 kg/person/year.
Production of natural fibers (wool & cotton) has peaked because it requires enormous amounts of agricultural resources (arable land, water) which need to be dedicated to food production for a world population expected to reach 8 billion by 2023. Therefore, today’s textile fiber demand is extensively covered by synthetic materials, mainly polyester and nylon, which are hard to biodegrade by nature (polyester takes an estimated 1000 years to degrade), and additionally release millions of micro- and nanofibers with every wash causing major marine pollution to the health detriment of aquatic life and contamination of the food chain.
Biodegradation experiment
We conducted an experiment at the HeiQ laboratory in Switzerland to show that HeiQ AeoniQ™ is as natural as the soil we have put it in, side by side with polyester and other synthetic and natural fabrics in a comparative biodegradation test.
HeiQ AeoniQ™ is endlessly recyclable. And if at the end of the lifecycle, it ends up in the environment, it takes only 3 months to biodegrade, going back from where it came from, and blending with Nature again.
By switching to HeiQ AeoniQ™ you’re being part of the solution. It is strong like fossil-fuel fibers but in tune with nature’s rhythm, taking only 12 weeks to biodegrade. See for yourself in less than 1 minute.
(Disclaimer: this empirical experiment had no scientific intent)
Certified by global environmental & safety standards
The first certificate is done, HeiQ AeoniQ™ yarn has been granted the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
…more to come soon!
HeiQ AeoniQ™ has been endorsed and listed as one of the CANOPY Next generation solutions provider.
is a cellulosic endless filament yarn, manufactured with an innovative process with a low environmental footprint, in which chemicals & water are recycled more than 99% and a net negative CO2 balance is achieved, helping to decarbonize the atmosphere.
(Aeon: striving for eternal circularity)
HeiQ AeoniQ™ can be manufactured from different cellulosic raw materials such as Circulose®, bacterial cellulose and non-valorized agricultural waste. The production process is so flexible that the final HeiQ AeoniQ™ properties can be tuned to match those of synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. HeiQ AeoniQ™ yarns are designed for cradle-to-cradle circularity and can be recycled repeatedly while maintaining consistent fiber quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
HeiQ’s first pilot production plant in Herzogenburg, near Vienna (Austria), is set up and running since Q2/22. The capacity of filament production is always depending on the yarn count. The first machine will produce ca. 100t/year on the max yarn count. More machines will be added soon.
HeiQ AeoniQ™ aims to replace polyester and nylon. Every ton of polyester causes 4 tons of CO2 emission. Cellulose is a biopolymer that binds CO2 from the atmosphere during its growth. It acts as a sink and various sources of cellulose have different sink potential. By replacing polyester and using for example non valorized agricultural cellulosic waste, 5 tons of CO2 emission are prevented.
If compared to the HIGG Index, HeiQ AeoniQ™ has the potential for the lowest ever environmental footprint for fibers. An LCA, also validated by a third party, is in place.
HeiQ is seeking to associate with 20 partners on the brand and operational side (mill partners). Any partnership on the brand side must be seen as a first commercial adoption, which will drive product shipments to the mills and markets.
HeiQ is eager to team up with globally selected mills bringing a strategic advantage to facilitate the supply chain and securing a fast scale-up of the technology. See Business Partner opportunities in the Become a Business Partner area of this website.
The first fabrics have been made with yarn from our pilot plant and designated R&D partners in Europe (Italy and Portugal) in knits and wovens. The fabrics have shown the desired performance parameters and we will be able to supply sufficient yarn for the development of capsule collections and salesman samples as of Q4/2022.
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