China has inaugurated the world’s first industrial-scale ionic liquid cellulose fibre production facility, marking a significant step in sustainable textile manufacturing. Developed by the Institute of Process Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the 1,000-tonne plant in Henan Province is the result of over a decade of research and aims to offer a lower-emission alternative to conventional fibre production.

The facility utilises ionic liquid technology to produce regenerated cellulose fibres, eliminating the need for toxic solvents such as carbon disulfide and N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide, commonly used in traditional viscose and fossil fibre production. Instead, the process employs stable, non-volatile ionic liquids—salts that remain liquid at or near room temperature and are known for their high polarity, low volatility, and chemical stability.

Lead scientist Zhang Suojiang stated that the technology “redefines sustainable fibre manufacturing,” as it results in no wastewater, gas, or solid waste discharge. The process includes a solvent recovery system with a 99% efficiency rate and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 5,000 tonnes annually compared to conventional methods.

Following successful laboratory, pilot, and 100-tonne demonstration phases, the plant is now fully operational. Duan Xiaoping, vice president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, noted that the development aligns with China’s broader carbon neutrality goals and establishes a new benchmark for green industrialisation.

The fibres produced at the Henan facility meet international standards for strength, fineness, stretchability, and consistency, positioning them as competitive alternatives to both synthetic and conventional fibres in global markets.

As global industries face growing pressure to decarbonise, the use of ionic liquid-based technologies may emerge as a key trend in textile production and beyond. The Chinese project demonstrates the scalability and environmental potential of this method, with the possibility of wider international adoption in the years ahead.