Introducing Refit Denim, the latest innovation in sustainable paper from Favini. This unique product combines the spirit of up-cycling with a creative twist, using recycled denim fibers from old jeans to craft high-quality, eco-friendly paper. By blending textile waste with cellulose fibers, Refit Denim not only gives new life to discarded materials but also offers a stylish nod to its origins. With its distinct denim-inspired texture and commitment to sustainability, Refit Denim is a fresh take on circular economy practices, redefining what paper can be.
Upcycling is becoming increasingly poppular in the paper industry and involves taking waste materials, which would normally be thrown away, and turning them into new, higher-value products. At Europapier, we love this approach and believe that reusing raw materials is crucial now and will be even more important in the future.
Industrial symbiosis: Fashion & Paper integrating each other
This year, at Packaging Premiè€re in Milan, Favini unveiled Refit Denim, a new eco-friendly paper that is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified and made with over 50% recycled materials, including old denim and cotton waste from clothing production.
Through a process of industrial symbiosis, two distinct industries complement one another: the fashion industry provides its by-products and waste, which are then  utilized by the paper industry—in this case, Favini. Refit Denim comprises 25% textile waste, a mixture of pre and post consumption and 50% pre-and post-consumer recycled content, which comes from the textile and cellulose.Â
The Cellulose fibre used to create this special design paper is FSC™ certified and all the energy used for the production of Refit is hydroelectric energy produced in-house.
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is a voluntary full product standard to verify and track recycled raw materials through the supply chain. It also sets guidelines to avoid harmful chemicals and ensures that the production methods are socially and environmentally responsible. As of this year, all products in the Refit line are GRS certified, ensuring responsible use of recycled content.
The remaining emissions that can’t be eliminated are balanced out by using Carbon Credits. Refit is also recyclable and biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly choice. This establishes Refit in Favini’s most sustainable product line called “Paper from our Echosystem.”
Due to its amazing properties, Refit Denim can be integrated into endless creative applications, from packaging, books & magazines, notepads, invitations, business cards, stationary, posters, tags, just naming a few of them. The origins of the paper story make it particularly interesting for fashion designers, styling companies, textile designers or producers, who want to incorporate its unique visual appearance, haptics and sustainable features. Here are some already produced creative projects on Refit, to spark your creativity.
Refit symbolizes Wear it Again, or Readapt
The unique look of Refit Denim is inspired by its main source material: old jeans. The process starts by sorting used jeans, removing zippers, buttons, and labels. The leftover fabric is shredded and mixed with wood pulp to create the paper.
Together with the launch of Refit Deni, Favini has further perfected the recipe of the existing two materials: Refit Cotton and Refit Wool, so that they now also contain 25% by-products, wool, respective cotton, with a 10% increase since the product launch in 2020.
Refit Denim has a timeliness stonewashed colour and texture, reminding you of your favorite pair of jeans! It is available in 120, 250 and 360 g/m2  in a smooth texture , and 250 g/m2 also comes in a felt-marked structure, with the aim to reproduce the texture of jeans.
Helga Stentzel’s Clothesline Animal Series
Favini teamed up with Helga Stentzel, a London-based multidisciplinary artist, to create a fun new mailing for the launch of Refit Denim. Helga’s famous “Clothesline Animal Series” features some of her most popular works.
The playful, simple designs are brought to life by the fine details of the fabrics and the background scenery. Each character has its own personality, unique voice, and story to share. All printed perfectly on Refit Denim, which elevates the concept to a whole new level.
A Pioneer in Up-Cycling for over 30 years
Favini has been a pioneer in up-cycling for more than 30 years, starting with with Shiro Alga Carta  in the 1990s, made using algae from the Venice lagoon. Crush followed with a resounding success, a design paper made with agricultural waste, including ingredients like almond shells, olive peels, and lavender. Further on, Favini perfected the range and added two new colours: cocoa and coconut.
In 2016, Favini launched Remake, crafted with 25% leather scraps from Italian sources, followed by  the Refit range in 2020, featuring paper incorporating  leftover cotton and wool fibers from textile production. The white wool is a by-product of the carding process, while the dark cotton is the by-product of the surface treatment of cotton textile.
The whole process of R&D for the Refit range took over one and a half years, to find the proper by-products coming from the textile industry. The innovation consists of finding a by-product coming from the fashion industry which is not contaminated by synthetic fibers.
Refit Denim: Where your old denim gets a second chance to leave a greener footprint.
This unique paper is crafted from recycled denim fibers, giving a second life to discarded jeans. With its distinctive texture and timeless stonewashed tint, it combines sustainability with style. The denim fibers lend the paper both character and a naturally tactile feel, making it perfect for high-quality printing and creative projects. Up-cycled and biodegradable, GRS certified, crafted from 50% recycled content and with on-site produced hydroelectric energy, Refit reflects a commitment to eco-friendly innovation, reducing waste and promoting circular economy practices.
Refit is exclusively available at Europapier. Get in touch with your local Europapier contact for samples today!Â
Images © Favini