Annabelle Hutter sets her sights on transforming the textile industry

Annabelle Hutter has her sights set on fundamentally transforming the textile industry. In this context, the Managing Director of Säntis Textiles from Bühler in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland is focusing above all – albeit not solely – on sustainability. “I also want it to be a warmer and friendlier place, not to mention more humane also”, comments Hutter in an article published by the publication “Tages-Anzeiger”.

Sustainability is in the company’s genes. Säntis Textiles was founded in 2005 by Annabelle’s father Stefan Hutter. The engineer developed a technology to separate textile waste and cut-outs into their original cotton fibers purely mechanically, without the use of water or chemicals. A machine “that takes up the space of two and a half tennis courts” handles this process, as the article explains. Annabelle Hutter recently sold two of these machines.

The recycled fibers from Säntis are of the same quality as new fibers. “If that were not the case, then we probably wouldn't have quite so many satisfied customers”, as Annabelle Hutter explains. In the article, she also points out that the fibers must successfully undergo a range of tests.

“It is up to companies like ours to provide spinning and weaving plants as well as fashion labels with viable, affordable solutions so that they consciously want to use recycled raw materials”, comments the Managing Director of Säntis. A new showroom in Zurich is also intended to play its part in instigating a rethink across the industry. From September onwards the showroom will exhibit items of clothing featuring fabrics that are all woven from completely recycled yarn. ce/hs