How Siemens and Spinnova Are Reinventing Textiles
Siemens and Spinnova: The fashion industry has long been seen as one of the biggest polluters on the planet. It uses billions of liters of water, produces around 90 million tons of waste each year, and releases harmful chemicals into the environment. This has made the textile industry one of the top contributors to pollution worldwide. And this is exactly why sustainability must be at the center of its future.
The Birth of a Revolutionary Idea
In 2009, Finnish cellulose expert Juha Salmela attended a conference at Oxford University. There, a talk on spider silk sparked an idea that would one day change the world of textiles. The speaker explained that spider silk proteins were very similar in structure to nanocellulose—a substance found in plants.
Juha wondered: What if we could spin wood fibers into textile fibers, just like a spider spins its web? That idea became the starting point for what we now know as Spinnova.
By 2023, Juha and his team had turned that dream into reality. Using wood-based materials, Spinnova created a completely new type of fiber—soft like cotton, strong like linen, and made without any harmful chemicals. Siemens and Spinnova:
What Makes Spinnova Different?
Traditional textile production uses a lot of water and harmful chemicals to process fibers. In contrast, Spinnova’s process is entirely mechanical. It begins with FSC-certified wood pulp, which is rich in cellulose. Instead of breaking it down chemically, Spinnova gently refines the wood into tiny hair-like fibrils using water.
These fibrils are then spun into thread-like fibers, inspired by the way spiders create their silk. The result is a natural, biodegradable fiber that can be used in clothing, without the environmental damage.
Because of this eco-friendly approach, major global brands like H&M, Adidas, and Bestseller have already partnered with Spinnova to include their fibers in clothing collections. It’s a big step toward circular, conscious fashion.
Siemens: The Power Behind the Process
Siemens and Spinnova: But building a sustainable fiber is only half the story. To make their vision work at scale, Spinnova needed strong technology support. That’s where Siemens entered the picture.
With Siemens’ support, Spinnova was able to speed up development, optimize its production systems, and prepare for global expansion. Using Siemens Xcelerator, Spinnova got access to a full suite of tools—software, automation, and digital services—designed to bring innovation to life.
Here’s how Siemens made a difference:
- Industrial Edge Technology allows Spinnova to connect factory machines to real-time data systems, helping monitor energy usage, moisture levels, and production efficiency.
- Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal helps manage everything from control systems to safety checks in one single platform.
- Digital Twin Technology allowed Spinnova to build and test a virtual version of their production plant before the real one was even constructed. This saved both time and money, while also identifying possible issues in advance.
- Cybersecurity Strategy was also a key part of the system, protecting Spinnova’s operations from digital threats with Siemens’ “Defense-in-Depth” model.
Real-Time Data: The Backbone of Innovation
“Data is going to play a key role in how we grow,” said Tuomas Oijala, former CEO of Spinnova. “Having a strong partner like Siemens who brings credibility, competence, and advanced technology is very important for us.”
With Siemens’ help, Spinnova can track energy consumption, optimize processes, and improve sustainability goals—all using data. This digital foundation ensures Spinnova meets its promise of creating zero-waste, low-emission textile products. Siemens and Spinnova.
Even Juha Salmela, the man who started it all, agrees: “Siemens helps Spinnova’s technology become globally available through digital tools, manufacturing execution systems, and their wide global network.”
A Vision for the Future of Siemens and Spinnova
Siemens and Spinnova: As the fashion world comes under pressure to clean up its act, Spinnova offers a bright example of what is possible when nature’s brilliance meets digital technology. With fibers inspired by spider webs and powered by Siemens’ tech infrastructure, Spinnova is not just creating sustainable textiles—it’s reshaping the entire narrative of the industry. Siemens and Spinnova.
The company’s journey is a reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. Instead, it can be the engine of progress, pushing the world toward a future where textiles are both stylish and sustainable.
