Automotive textiles leader Aunde, headquartered in Mönchengladbach, Germany, has entered into a strategic cooperation with PreZero to establish a plant for recycling polyester-containing textile waste into new high-quality polyester granules. 

With over 127 production sites in 29 countries and more than 22,000 employees worldwide, Aunde supplies textiles and leather, vehicle seats, technical springs, foam moulded parts and interior and composite components to the automotive industry. In addition to Aunde products, the group also supplies under the brands Isringhausen, Fehrer and Reinert.

PreZero’s services range from waste management and recycling solutions to effective sustainability consulting. Headquartered in Neckarsulm, Germany, the company has around 4,800 employees at 120 locations.

The production of polyester fibres is continuously increasing worldwide, Aunde observes, but around 99% of recycled polyester fibres are currently based on PET bottle flakes which can be used more efficiently in a closed loop by the packaging industry. This is leading to increased competition for available recycled PET feedstock.

“As an international textile manufacturer for the automotive industry, we see it as our responsibility to actively help shape sustainable solutions,” says CEO Peter Bolten. “The cooperation with PreZero will be a significant step towards keeping textile materials in circulation while reducing our dependence on PET bottles and our goal is to set a new standard in textile recycling with this plant.”

The new plant is scheduled to become operational during 2026.

www.aunde.com