Siemens And Spinnova Drive Innovation And Sustainability In Textile Manufacturing

• Siemens enables Spinnova to develop sustainable fibers at scale
• Spinnova fiber is known for minimal CO₂ emissions and water use, uses no harmful chemicals and is recyclable
• The Siemens Xcelerator automation and software portfolio allowed a quick ramp-up of production at Spinnova’s and Suzano’s joint venture Woodspin factory

Today, Siemens, a leading technology company announced an innovative collaboration with Spinnova, a sustainable textile technology company, to help transform the textile industry with sustainable fiber production. This collaboration underscores Siemens' strategic commitment to driving sustainability and digitalization in manufacturing industries.

Spinnova is known for its groundbreaking technology for producing textile fibers with minimal environmental impact, has teamed up with Siemens to transform the way textiles are manufactured globally. Siemens has helped Spinnova reduce its time to market with its Siemens Xcelerator automation technologies, software, and services.

Scaling sustainability impact with Siemens Xcelerator
Spinnova's patented technology produces textile fiber using a mechanical process that mimics how spiders weave their webs. This process can be used to produce fiber from a variety of raw materials, from wood to leather, textiles, and agricultural waste. SPINNOVA fiber can then be processed into yarn and fabrics like any other conventional fiber.

"With their unique technology, based on circularity, Spinnova is setting a new standard for environmental sustainability in the textile industry," said Eryn Devola, Head of Sustainability at Siemens Digital Industries. "Our Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, our know-how and global network are helping Spinnova scale, reduce time to market, and increase operational efficiency.”

According to Spinnova, the production of SPINNOVA fiber emits 74 percent less CO₂ and uses 98 percent less water than the global average of conventional cotton, generates zero process waste and requires zero harmful chemicals.

Siemens Xcelerator enables sustainable fiber production at industrial scale
The transformative power of the collaboration to produce sustainable textiles is showcased at the Woodspin factory in Jyväskylä, Finland, a joint venture between Spinnova and pulp producer Suzano. With digital twins to optimize the product and production processes, IT and OT convergence for enhanced transparency, and robust cybersecurity measures, Siemens is enabling Spinnova to scale up its innovation. This has increased the company’s confidence and expedited time to market, which are crucial factors in today’s fast-paced market environments.

“Working with Siemens has transformed how we approach manufacturing. Their technological expertise has enabled us to ramp up production quickly and brings credibility to our mission,” says Tuomas Oijala, CEO of Spinnova. “This collaboration isn’t just about advancing technology; it’s also paving the way for a sustainable future in the textile industry.”

The Woodspin factory was simulated and virtually commissioned using a digital twin with Plant Simulation in the Tecnomatix portfolio, including its operations, material flow, what if-scenarios and identification of bottlenecks. This saved time, maintained quality and increased the efficiency of operations. A digital twin of the product was used to speed up, optimize and coordinate the research and development of the raw material base using Siemens’ Opcenter software, which ensures consistent quality from raw material to finished fiber.

The entire automation architecture is based on Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation concept, where TIA Portal integrates line control, safety technology, end-to-end diagnostics, drives, and field devices in a unified platform. Siemens Industrial Edge enables Spinnova to collect, process and send operational data to the cloud for analysis in order to track key performance indicators like energy consumption and provide transparency to customers and partners. Spinnova's cybersecurity concept is based on the Defense-in-Depth concept and uses cybersecurity technology from Siemens.

The collaboration with Spinnova is part of Siemens’ broader strategy to encourage sustainable practices using technological innovations. Siemens is dedicated to shaping the future of industries where technology meets sustainability, to create a positive impact on the planet and society.