Circle-8 invests in AI-driven textile sorting
Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems has acquired its first standalone AI-powered textile sorting line from Danish firm NewRetex, in a move that signals growing momentum for automated circularity solutions in the UK fashion sector.
Part-funded by the ACT UK initiative, supported by Innovate UK, the system will be deployed to sort non-reusable textiles by fibre composition, colour, and hardware elements—key barriers to recycling, reported sustainability website letsrecycle.com. The line also features integrated data capture, enabling traceability from collection through to recyclers, laying the foundation for a future Digital Product Passport. Circle-8's missions is to democratise plastic collection through advanced software solutions.
'This investment accelerates the shift from manual to automated pre-processing and unlocks the scale needed for fibre-to-fibre recycling,' said Circle-8 CEO Cyndi Rhoades. The company plans to establish a network of Automated Textile Sorting & Pre-processing (ATSP) plants across the UK, supporting the country's transition to a circular textiles economy.
The UK generates over 700,000 tonnes of non-reusable textiles annually, with less than 1 percent recycled into new materials. Manual sorting remains labour-intensive and cost-prohibitive—challenges Circle-8 aims to address through AI-driven automation.
TRA CEO Alan Wheeler called the investment a 'significant step' toward unlocking high-value recycling markets. 'This kind of innovation, coupled with policy reform—such as extended producer responsibility and recycled content mandates—can reposition the UK as a leader in circular fashion,' he said.
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The National
a day ago
- The National
Plans for sauna in Loch Ness pub owned by Anders Holch Povlsen
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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's richest man reveals plans to turn beauty spot Scots pub into sauna
It is the site of another one of his ventures Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S richest man has revealed plans to transform a village pub into a luxury spa. Anders Holch Povlsen's £8bn saw him named Scotland's richest resident on the Sunday Times rich list, and he plans to spent his billions north of the border. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Dores Inn could be turned into a spa Credit: Alamy The Danish fashion tycoon owns the firm WildLand, which bought the Dores Inn on Loch Ness. The quaint village boozer is set to have a completely new life after being bought by the mega-rich billionaire. Plans submitted to Highland Council propose a complete refurb and extension of the village pub - less than ten miles from Inverness. If given the green light, the Dores Inn will be turned into the luxury spa, complete with a sauna, bakery and even a beach cafe. The planning application read: "Renovation and expansion of the Dores Inn, two new jetties, sauna, beach café/ bakery, shop/ kiosk/ public toilets, car parking, relocate recycling point, service building, landscape (including realigned burn and relocated football pitch/ play park), paths (temporary diversions and permanent), access and associated drainage/ service infrastructure." A public consultation is set to be held about the project, with two public exhibitions being held at the pub later this month and in August. It will also be discussed at the local t Dores and Essich Community Council Meeting in July. We told last month how the Dores Inn was the site of another one of the tycoon's ventures. WildLand launched the Wild Food Truck which is set up outside the pub from Thursdays to Sundays in the afternoon. It offers handmade flatbreads, local produce, and refreshments that reflect the rich natural larder of the Highlands. How 'world's richest island' became 'BANKRUPT' after cops splashed out on Lamborghinis and Russian Mafia ran rampant Povlsen made his billions in the fashion industry and used his cash to buy the 300-year-old Aldourie Castle. He was named Scotland's richest man for the fourth year in a row. His bank account grew by £1bn over the past year. He is the chief executive of international clothing retailer Bestseller. The firm has a number of best selling brands, including Jack and Jones. He is also the majority shareholder of online fashion retailer Asos.
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Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Plans to turn Loch Ness inn owned by Scotland's richest man Anders Holch Povlsen into sauna and beach cafe
Plans have been revealed for the historic Dores Inn on the banks of Loch Ness. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A popular inn on the shores of Loch Ness that is owned by Scotland's richest man would be turned into a sauna, bakery and beach cafe under new plans. The Dores Inn, situated right on the water's edge of the loch about ten miles south of Inverness, was bought by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen late last year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Dores Inn on the banks of Loch Ness has been bought by Wildland Ltd, the company owned by Scotland's richest man, Anders Holch Povlsen. PIC: Burgess. | Burgess Now his company WildLand Ltd is pushing ahead with a proposal to expand the inn under plans outlined to Highland Council. A bakery and two new jetties would be created at the site if the expansion is approved. The existing car park and public toilets would also be overhauled. A proposal of application notice was lodged late last month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The restaurant and pub, which is closed, would remain shut for about two years in total to allow the renovations to be completed. Under the plans, the Dores Inn would reopen in 2026/27. The Dores Inn, near Inverness | Google Maps Pop-up food and refreshments, alongside outside covered seating, have been run at the site in the interim. Public exhibitions on the plans for Dores Inn will be run by WildLand on June 27-28. WildLand chief executive Tim Kirkwood said: "The Dores Inn sits at the heart of a much-loved community setting. As we explore options for its restoration and long-term operation, we're committed to involving the community from the outset. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'These exhibitions will offer a great opportunity for attendees to understand the scope of what's being considered and to share ideas and concerns before detailed plans are finalised. We want the future of this site to reflect the needs and values of the people who know it best and value it as much as we do.' A large area of fields to the north of the inn has been highlighted in the initial application and is expected to form part of the expansion plans. Council planners are set to consider the expansion for approval by a deadline of August 20. The Dores inn has been a historic landmark of the area, having been visited by Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip in 1967. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The restaurant and pub is situated close to one of Mr Povlsen's key hospitality businesses Aldourie Castle - a 300-year-old building that is rented out as an exclusive stay property. The venue served as the location for Mr Povlsen's 50th birthday, with singer Lionel Richie flown in to perform for the event. Anders Holch Povlsen, Scotland's richest man and largest landowner, who is funding the building of a new health and residential care centre near Tongue to help meet demand for services. PIC: Getty. | Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima Wildland Ltd was set up by Mr Povlsen to manage his 220,000 acres in Scotland, much of it spread across seven estates in Sutherland and five more in the Cairngorms. Mr Povlsen, who forged much of his fortune in the fashion retail business, has focused his investments in Scotland in large-scale nature restoration projects and his 'Scandi-Scot' style of high-end hospitality. Lavinia Turner, head of region at WildLand Loch Ness, said of the inn's redevelopment: "The Dores Inn has always been more than a pub - it's a gathering place, a gateway to the loch, and an important part of local life.
