Valvan: Pioneering a New Era in Textile Recycling with Smart Sorting Technologies
Founded in 1968 in Belgium under the name Valvan Metaalconstructie, Valvan began its journey by producing flax drying systems. Today, the company has evolved into a global leader in recycling and textile sorting technologies. Through its AI-powered systems, Valvan enables the efficient separation of recycled textiles, playing a crucial role in the textile industry’s transition toward a circular economy.
From 1968 to Today: Innovative Engineering and a Circular Economy Vision
Valvan entered the recycling sector in 1973 by producing textile waste and baling presses. In 1975, it expanded its product portfolio by developing its own waste containers. In 1997, the company was divided into two entities—Valvan Baling Systems and Valvan Containers & Milieutechniek—to focus on specialized operations.
In 2010, Valvan Baling Systems acquired Gualchierani Baling Systems, strengthening its position in the baling equipment sector. Later, in 2020, it acquired Agila, gaining expertise in rubber milling. In 2023, Valvan unified its growing sorting and automation capabilities under a single brand—Valvan—to reflect its expanded technological focus.
Smart Solutions for the Recycling Industry: Fibersort® Technology
Valvan stands out with its automatic textile sorting solutions designed specifically for the recycling industry. The company’s innovative Fibersort® machine uses artificial intelligence (AI) models to identify and separate textiles based on fiber composition and color properties. This technology is crucial for efficiently processing large volumes of recycled post-consumer textiles.
Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) scanning, the system analyzes the structure of fibers, accurately distinguishing between pure and blended materials. Additionally, an RGB camera system enables sorting based on color.
Fibersort® allows recycled textiles to be processed faster, more accurately, and more cost-effectively—making it an essential tool for manufacturers, collectors, and recyclers in their transition toward a circular textile economy.
Preparing for Recycling with Trimclean
After processing through Fibersort®, textiles are transferred to the Trimclean system for the next stage. Trimclean removes unwanted elements such as zippers, buttons, and labels from fiber-sorted textiles, significantly improving the efficiency of the recycling process. Removing these undesired components, increases the purity of the feedstock, creating a high quality and reliable source of feedstock for textile-to-textile recyclers. Through these solutions, Valvan contributes to creating a production chain where textile waste can be reused and transformed into valuable raw materials.
A Strong Advocate of the Circular Economy
With over half a century of experience, Valvan develops not just machines but comprehensive solutions for a sustainable future. Through its innovative approach to automation, sorting, and recycling technologies, the company accelerates the transformation of waste into raw material—leading the way in advancing the circular economy within the textile industry.
