Trimclean®: Automated Trim Removal for Cleaner Textile Recycling Feedstock

October 19, 2026  |
Trimclean® is an automated trim removal system designed to improve feedstock purity before mechanical or chemical textile recycling. The system removes both hard and soft trims from pre-cut textile clippings, including zippers, buttons, labels, laces, hook-and-loop fasteners and cord locks. By eliminating these unwanted components early in the recycling process, Trimclean® helps create cleaner, more consistent material streams for high-quality textile-to-textile recycling.

The system is typically installed after the cutting process. Pre-cut textile clippings are evenly distributed across the machine by a dosing unit and transported through a series of detection modules. Multiple sensor technologies analyse the material and identify unwanted components such as visible trims, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, undesired colours and unwanted fibre compositions. Once detected, contaminated material is separated from the clean textile stream through a pneumatic separation process.

A key differentiator of Trimclean® is its patented dual-sided detection technology. While many systems inspect material from only one side, Trimclean® analyses clippings from both sides, significantly increasing detection accuracy and reducing the risk of trims remaining in the output material. This approach is particularly valuable when processing mixed textile waste streams where trims may be hidden or partially covered.

The modular design allows recyclers to configure the system according to their current needs and expand detection capabilities over time. Additional modules can be added as quality requirements evolve or new material streams are introduced. Trimclean® also incorporates smart calibration functions, enabling repeatable and reliable detection performance under varying operating conditions. Consistent output quality is maintained even when temperatures fluctuate throughout the production environment.

To further protect the purified textile fraction, detected trims are blown downward into the waste stream rather than being extracted through airborne transport. This minimises contamination risks and helps preserve the quality of the clean output. As a result, Trimclean® delivers a purified textile stream that is ideally suited for the next stage in the recycling process, whether mechanical fibre recovery or chemical recycling.

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Intelligent sorting, recycling and baling solutions for the textile industry. Valvan develops advanced sorting, recycling and baling systems for the textile and recycling industries. With decades of experience in automation and machine building, the company...

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