Orange fiber - reuse of cellulose components for textile applications
Orange Fiber is developing a process to recover and purify cellulose from citrus pectin production side streams, converting them into textile-grade pulp for regenerated cellulosic fiber, yarn, and fabric. The project targets reproducible, scalable production of sustainable circular textiles from food industry by-products.
Overview
Orange Fiber is developing a process to recover and purify cellulose from wet fibrous side streams generated during citrus pectin production. The recovered cellulosic fraction is converted into textile-grade pulp, which can then be transformed through an established supply chain into regenerated cellulosic fiber, yarn, and fabric. This approach turns an underutilized industrial residue into a sustainable raw material for the fashion and textile industries, supporting circular economy goals while reducing waste and environmental impact.
The resulting fibers are biodegradable, compostable, and free of plastic microfibers, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional textile materials without compromising on quality or aesthetic standards. The technology is designed for fashion and design brands seeking to reduce their ecological footprint while maintaining high technical performance.
Technical specifications
The process combines several key steps:
- Feed conditioning to handle acidic, high-moisture, and compositionally variable side streams
- Removal of soluble and non-cellulosic fractions
- Controlled alkaline and peroxide treatment to purify the cellulose
- Solid-liquid separation, washing, and pulp finishing
- Qualification of the resulting pulp against downstream textile requirements
Laboratory trials on depectinized citrus residue have demonstrated holocellulose content of approximately 74-77 wt% of dry inlet, with selected extracted samples reaching up to 93.44 wt% alpha-cellulose. The main technical challenge is achieving reproducible pulp quality at scale, particularly around variable consistency and solid-liquid separation, which previously limited dry-mass recovery on industrial filtration equipment.
Technology readiness level
The project is currently in the development and validation stage. Laboratory-scale trials have confirmed the recoverability of cellulose from depectinized citrus residue. The next phases involve feed characterization, process optimization, pulp qualification, pilot validation, and conversion of qualified pulp into regenerated fiber, yarn, and fabric for performance assessment. The final phase will define plant integration, logistics, capital and operating costs, life-cycle assessment, regulatory pathways, and scale-up roadmap.
About Orange Fiber
Orange Fiber is a textile manufacturing company that produces sustainable fabrics derived from citrus juice by-products, known as pastazzo. The company utilizes a proprietary, patented technology to extract cellulose from these industrial residues, which are otherwise disposed of at significant economic and environmental costs. By transforming this waste into high-quality yarn and fabric, Orange Fiber offers an innovative, circular solution for the fashion industry. The resulting fibers are biodegradable, compostable, and do not release plastic microfibers, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional materials while maintaining high aesthetic and technical standards.
These circular textiles are designed for fashion and design brands seeking to minimize their ecological footprint without compromising on quality. The company partners with industrial leaders, such as the Lenzing Group, to produce branded lyocell fibers and finished fabric collections suitable for various applications, including luxury fashion, denim, sportswear, and home textiles. Since its 2014 founding in Sicily, Orange Fiber has collaborated with prominent fashion houses and retailers, including Salvatore Ferragamo, H&M, and E. Marinella, to demonstrate the viability and luxury potential of materials made from food waste. The brand provides transparency through its supply chain, ensuring that end customers can identify garments crafted from their patented citrus fabrics.
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