Netherlands invests €135 million to revolutionize textile recycling with Reju's new hub
The Dutch government is injecting €135 million into Reju’s groundbreaking textile recycling project, aiming to transform 300 million discarded garments annually into new raw materials. This move slashes CO₂ emissions by 50% and positions the Netherlands as a leader in sustainable industry.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment Amount | €135 million |
| Company | Reju |
| Project Name | Regeneration Hub One |
| Location | Chemelot Industrial Park, Limburg, Netherlands |
| Annual Recycling Capacity | Equivalent to 300 million garments |
| CO₂ Reduction | ~50% compared to conventional polyester |
| Focus | Recycling polyester-based textiles |
| Funding Source | National Investment Regulation for Climate Projects in Industry (NIKI) |
| Government Representative | Stientje van Veldhoven, Minister for Climate and Green Growth |
The Dutch cabinet, through the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable industrial innovation. By funding projects like Reju’s, the government aims to meet climate targets while fostering economic growth and circular economy practices.
Read the full translated article below
€135 million for circular textile-to-textile recycling: boost for sustainable industry in the Netherlands
The Dutch cabinet is investing €135 million in the innovative textile-to-textile recycling company Reju through the National Investment Regulation for Climate Projects in Industry (NIKI). With this support, the Netherlands is taking an important step towards greening the industry and accelerating the circular economy.
With the subsidy, Reju can build the so-called Regeneration Hub One at the Chemelot Industrial Park. In this factory, discarded textiles will be processed on a large scale into new raw materials for textile production. This will enable the recycling of an amount comparable to approximately 300 million garments per year.
Stientje van Veldhoven (Climate and Green Growth): “With this subsidy, we are supporting precisely the industry of the future: clean, circular and economically strong. Projects like Reju’s show that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand, and that the Netherlands can be a frontrunner in circular production. This is an example of how we in the Netherlands are working towards a future-proof industry. We are building chains in which raw materials are reused time and again, and in which economic growth goes hand in hand with climate goals.”
Accelerating CO₂ reduction and circularity
Reju’s project focuses specifically on recycling difficult-to-process textile streams containing polyester. By converting these materials into high-quality circular raw materials for new polyester, dependence on fossil raw materials is reduced and emissions can be significantly lowered. The new materials are expected to have around 50% less CO₂ emissions than conventional polyester.
A new standard for the circular industry
The establishment of this factory at the Chemelot Industrial Park is an important first step for the Netherlands. It will be the first large-scale facility where old textiles are converted into high-quality raw materials for new textiles. This keeps textiles in use for longer and prevents valuable materials from being incinerated or discarded.
The project also makes the Netherlands more attractive for sustainable industry. Thanks to the excellent infrastructure, existing knowledge, and collaboration at Chemelot, this technology can be scaled up quickly.