Innovation New partnership to advance HTL technology integration


ReCircled, a reprocessor for footwear, apparel, and accesso- ries, has formed a partnership with Merrick & Company, a specialist in hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology integration.


Under the newly-signed


agreement, Merrick will take the engineering lead on ReCircled’s first HTL processing units, marking a significant advance- ment in the company’s ability to manage complex waste streams that have traditionally been challenging to recycle. ReCircled is developing capabilities to handle complex waste streams including mixed textiles, EVA materials from sneaker soles, and post-con- sumer leather, addressing the challenge of recycling these complex packaging materials.


Merrick’s engineering business covers multiple sectors, including bioprocessing. Image: Merrick & Company


“From the beginning we


knew that collaboration was needed to build the systems that allow for recycling textiles at the highest level,” said Scott Kuhlman, CEO of ReCircled. “With Merrick’s engineering expertise in HTL technology, we’re now able to tackle waste


streams that have never had a viable end-of-life solution.” The HTL process uses heat


and pressure to break materials down into useful outputs, making it particularly suited for the mixed-material waste streams that ReCircled encounters through its


BlockTexx polyester and cellulose technology gets boost from Erema’s involvement


BlockTexx is a young Australian company which has developed a process that separates polyester and cellulose from blended textiles. The company has received support in a new strategic collaboration with plastics recycling technology group Erema.


Announced at the K2025


show in Germany in October, the collaboration involves Erema Group making an investment in BlockTexx and contributing not only capital but also recycling expertise, technology and infrastructure. BlockTexx has developed a


chemical recycling technology, which it has named SOFT, to reprocess the world’s most used fibres, polyester, cotton,


34 Textiles Loop • Autumn 2025 Image: Erema


polyester/cotton blends and all cellulosic/man-made cellulosic fibres such as bamboo, flax, rayon, tencel, modal. Erema said its Intarema


FibrePro:IV system will process the polyester into recycled pellets suitable for new


garment production. “Our thermomechanical recycling system is a core element for textile recycling,” said Wolfgang Hermann, Business Develop- ment Manager for Fibres & Textiles at Erema Group. “However, full-scale textile


recycling requires a combina- tion of technologies, with BlockTexx unlocking the solution for processing polyester-blended textiles.” BlockTexx operates a plant


in Loganholme, Australia with a processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes/yr. Scaling up requires a strong investment partner, said Erema. Expansion plans would see a second plant of 50,000 tonnes/yr being built. Erema said: “By combining


mechanical processing, chemical separation, and fibre regeneration, the partnership establishes a model that sets new industrial standards for circularity.” • www.blocktexx.com • www.erema.com


take-back programs and retail partnerships. Particle size reduction is


seen as key to the process, and ReCircled is collaborating with several companies involved in this space. •www.recircled.com •www.merrick.com


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