NIKIN adds prototype of recycled pullover to online shop

As part of the Texcircle project organized by the Product & Textile Research Group at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), NIKIN has developed a prototype of a pullover that is made from 80 percent recycled fibers recovered from old pairs of blue jeans. In so doing, NIKIN is seeking to set out its stall against the trend known as Fast Fashion. Known as the TreePullover Recycled Jeans, the garment is available to purchase as of now from the NIKIN online shop.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of Texcircle and to be able to produce such an innovative product”, comments Robin Gnehm, co-founder and CPO of NIKIN, in a press release. “Because it is not only our first product of this kind, but also our first product that is 100 percent made in Switzerland”, he adds. The aim is to give old clothes a second life and therefore close the textile cycle.

The jeans used in the production of the pullover come from TEXAID containers and are carefully sorted and cleaned. At CETI, the research and innovation center for a textile circular economy, the jeans are ripped apart into short fibers, which are then spun by the Rieter spinning mill into yarn with a 20 percent admixture of organic cotton. Finally, the textiles manufacturer Innolana manufactures the pullovers from a single thread.

Since being founded in 2016, NIKIN has been planting a tree for every product sold in conjunction with the partner organization One Tree Planted. Up to this point, two million trees have been planted, according to the company.

In addition to the TreePullover from NIKIN, five further prototypes were developed within the framework of the Texcircle project: a curtain made from baker's trousers, a carpet made from old wool clothing, bags made from used T-shirts and work clothes, a gilet made from old bedding and socks made from old Civilian Service (ZIVI) shirts. The project partners involved were coop, Rieter, Rohner Socks, Ruckstuhl, Texaid, workfashion. ce/mm