spinnerij

Spinnerij is the Dutch term for a spinning mill, a textile factory where fibers are processed into yarn. In a spinnerij, fiber preparation and the spinning process are carried out on specialized machinery. A typical sequence includes opening and cleaning to separate impurities, carding to align fibers, drawing to combine multiple slivers into a uniform supply, and roving before spinning. The spinning operation imparts twist to the fibers, producing yarn that can be wound onto bobbins or cones for further textile fabrication.

Historically, spinnerijen were central to the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution, evolving from hand spinning to mechanized production. Early innovations such as the spinning jenny, the water frame, and the spinning mule enabled large-scale mills powered by water or steam. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, spinnerijen spread across Europe and beyond, forming the backbone of many towns and industrial regions.

In modern textile manufacture, spinnerijen may be integrated into larger mills or replaced by more flexible plants that handle multiple fiber types. Open-end (rotor) spinning and ring spinning are common methods; rotor spinning allows higher production and is used especially for synthetic fibers, while ring spinning is favored for cotton and high-quality yarn. Environmental and labor considerations have shaped contemporary spinnerijen, including energy efficiency, water use, and worker safety. The term remains in use in Dutch-speaking contexts to denote spinning facilities, though the industry is increasingly globalized.