en.Wedoany.com Reported - Portuguese company A Penteadora, in collaboration with Andritz, has commissioned a complete mechanical textile recycling and needle-punched nonwoven production line at its facility in Unhais da Serra, Portugal. The installation continuously processes textile waste to manufacture structural components for technical applications.
A Penteadora, an integrated company within the Paulo de Oliveira Group specializing in wool textiles for technical applications, operates the production line. Andritz, as the technology supplier, provided the necessary mechanical infrastructure to handle the complexity of synthetic blends and technical fibers. This collaboration aims to manage internal and external textile waste streams, requiring equipment capable of ensuring stability in industrial automation processes and the quality of recycled materials.
The implemented technical solution is divided into two main infrastructure components. The mechanical textile recycling line encompasses automated cutting, blending, fiber opening, and carding processes. The system integrates advanced mechanical separation technology to remove hard elements such as buttons and zippers; this sorting mechanism optimizes operational efficiency by protecting downstream equipment from damage caused by metal or hard polymers. Meanwhile, the needle-punched nonwoven production line processes recycled fibers through mechanical entanglement, forming structured felts that meet stringent parameters for industrial strength and density.
These systems have been installed and are operating at full capacity at the Portuguese plant, using pre-consumer and post-consumer waste as raw materials. The output from the needle-punched nonwoven line is used in technical applications such as insulation felts, acoustic barriers for automotive or construction, and impact protection solutions. The plant directly processes this waste, maintaining certified production capabilities compliant with ISO 9001 and GRS standards, as well as OEKO-TEX specifications.
The integration of the production line reduces reliance on virgin raw materials and improves resource efficiency within the plant. Miguel Fernandes, Director of A Penteadora, stated: "With Andritz's new recycling and nonwoven technology, we can transform textile waste into high-value materials for industrial applications. This investment reinforces our commitment to sustainability and circularity, while creating new opportunities for innovative nonwoven products and more efficient resource utilization."
